Check cashing banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine is operable to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that can read from cards, user data that corresponds to financial accounts. The machine can operate responsive to the read card data to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The machine can provide a transaction receipt. The machine includes a cash dispenser to dispense cash to machine users. Value of dispensed cash can be assessed to an account which corresponds to read card data. The machine also includes a check acceptor device that can receive checks from users. The machine can image a received check and then read check data from the check image. An account determined from read card data can be credited the amount of the check.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/616,114 filed on Sep. 14, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,893,959, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/135,673 filed Jul. 12,2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,888, which claims benefit pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Application 61/399,546 filed Jul. 14,2010. Application Ser. No. 13/135,673 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/807,987 filed Sep. 16, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.8,002,177, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/584,307 filed Sep. 2, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,398, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/214,461 filed Aug. 29,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,883. The entire disclosures of each of theaforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference as iffully rewritten herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to automated banking system machines.

BACKGROUND

Automated banking machines may include a card reader that operates toread data from a bearer record such as a user card. Automated bankingmachines may operate to cause the data read from the card to be comparedwith other computer stored data related to the bearer or their financialaccounts. The machine operates in response to the comparison determiningthat the bearer record corresponds to an authorized user, to carry outat least one transaction which may be operative to transfer value to orfrom at least one account. A record of the transaction is also oftenprinted through operation of the automated banking machine and providedto the user. Automated banking machines may be used to carry outtransactions such as dispensing cash, the making of deposits, thetransfer of funds between accounts and account balance inquiries. Thetypes of banking transactions that may be carried out are determined bythe capabilities of the particular banking machine and system, as wellas the programming of the institution operating the machine.

Other types of automated banking machines may be operated by merchantsto carry out commercial transactions. These transactions may include,for example, the acceptance of deposit bags, the receipt of checks orother financial instruments, the dispensing of rolled coin, or othertransactions required by merchants. Still other types of automatedbanking machines may be used by service providers in a transactionenvironment such as at a bank to carry out financial transactions. Suchtransactions may include for example, the counting and storage ofcurrency notes or other financial instrument sheets, the dispensing ofnotes or other sheets, the imaging of checks or other financialinstruments, and other types of transactions. For purposes of thisdisclosure an automated banking machine, automated transaction machine,or an automated teller machine (ATM) shall be deemed to include anymachine that may be used to automatically carry out transactionsinvolving transfers of value.

OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following presents a simplified overview of the example embodimentsin order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the exampleembodiments. This overview is not an extensive overview of the exampleembodiments. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elementsof the example embodiments nor delineate the scope of the appendedclaims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the exampleembodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein, amethod, comprising taking a currency note from currency cassette by anote picker, reading cassette data indicative of a currency notedenomination held by the currency cassette by a cassette data reader,and reading note data for currency notes taken from the currencycassette by a note reader during a cash dispense transaction. Currencynote denominations for the currency notes taken from the currencycassette are determined from the note data. The method further comprisesdetermining whether a currency note denomination determined from thenote data read by the note reader differs from the currency notedenomination indicated by the cassette data, and causing a discrepancymessage to be sent to a remote computer responsive at least in part to adetermination that the currency note denomination determined from thenote data read by the note reader differs from the currency notedenomination indicated by the cassette data.

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein atangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of instructions withinstructions encoded thereon for execution by a processor that whenexecuted are operable to cause a note picker to taking a currency notefrom currency cassette, read cassette data indicative of a currency notedenomination held by the currency cassette by a cassette data reader,read note data for currency notes taken from the currency cassette by anote reader during a cash dispense transaction, and determine from thenote data currency note denominations for the currency notes taken fromthe currency cassette. The instructions are further operable todetermine whether a currency note denomination determined from the notedata read by the note reader differs from the currency note denominationindicated by the cassette data, and cause a discrepancy message to besent to a remote computer responsive at least in part to a determinationthat the currency note denomination determined from the note data readby the note reader differs from the currency note denomination indicatedby the cassette data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an example automated banking machine.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the automated banking machine shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the automated bankingmachine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of a first transport path and a secondtransport path in the automated banking machine.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of a transport used in theautomated banking machine.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a sheet moving from the secondtransport path to the first transport path through an intersection.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the sheet moved into the firsttransport path from the intersection.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 with the sheet moving in anopposed direction through the intersection.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 8 with the sheet held in aholding device.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the sheet moving in theintersection and engaging a second sheet being delivered through thesecond transport path, the second sheet engaging in aligned relationwith the first sheet to form a stack.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 10 in which the stacked pairof sheets have passed through the intersection.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 11 in which the stackedsheets are held in the holding device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths withthe sheet directing apparatus operating to separate a first sheet from astack as the stack passes through the intersection.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 13 showing the sheetseparating from the stack as the stack passes through the intersection.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the first and second transport pathsshowing a sheet being reoriented by a sheet turnover device.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a sheet passing through a secondintersection between the first transport path and a third transportpath.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths witha deposit envelope passing therethrough.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the first, second and thirdtransport paths, with a sheet moving from the holding device to thethird transport path.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the first,second and third transport paths with additional holding devices in thefirst transport path.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing the first and second transport pathswith a sheet moving from the second transport path to the firsttransport path, and schematically demonstrating how the sheet directingapparatus is used as part of a sheet turnover device.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the first,second and third transport paths used in an alternative automatedbanking machine in which two user interfaces and user accessibleopenings are provided.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an automated banking machine housing thetransport apparatus schematically shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing a sheet separating from or adding toa stack as the stack passes through an intersection.

FIG. 24 is a side schematic view of a portion of a sheet transport of anexample embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a top view of a roller assembly shown in FIG. 24 withportions broken away for illustration purposes.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a roller of the roller assembly shown in FIG.25.

FIG. 27 is a top view of the support body of the roller assembly shownin FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the roller assembly shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a side perspective view of a portion of the support body ofthe roller assembly shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 30 is a side perspective view of a portion of a transport showingan alternative example form of the roller assemblies.

FIG. 31 is a side cross sectional view of the sheet transport of FIG. 24showing a stack of sheets in engagement with a plurality of belt flightsand roller assemblies.

FIGS. 32-35 are side schematic views in sequence illustrating a systemfor stacking sheets using the roller assemblies of FIG. 24.

FIG. 36 is a side schematic view of a portion of FIGS. 32-35 showing asheet that has been dispensed by a dispenser mechanism in FIGS. 32-35moving to engage the sheet transport.

FIG. 37 is a side schematic view of an example embodiment of a sheethandling mechanism showing a first transport path and a second transportpath in an automated transaction machine.

FIG. 38 is a side schematic view of another example embodiment of asheet handling mechanism showing a first transport path and a secondtransport path in an automated transaction machine.

FIG. 39 shows an example embodiment of a replaceable security modulewhich is located in an automated transaction machine, where the moduleis operable (and positioned) to determine the denomination of a currencynote taken from a storage container, and then verify whether thedetermined denomination corresponds to the note denomination indicatedby that storage container.

FIG. 40 shows another embodiment of an example module which ispositioned at a different location in an automated transaction machine.

FIG. 41 shows further embodiment of an example module which ispositioned at a further location in an automated transaction machine.

FIG. 42 shows yet another embodiment of an example module which ispositioned at yet another location in an automated transaction machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown therein an automated banking machine generally indicated 10.Machine 10 is an ATM. However, other example embodiments can compriseother types of automated transaction machines. ATM 10 includes a user orcustomer interface generally indicated 12. Customer interface 12includes a touch screen 14. Touch screen 14 is of a type known in theprior art which serves as both an input device and an output device. Thetouch screen enables outputs through displays on the screen and enablescustomers to provide inputs by placing a finger adjacent to areas of thescreen.

Customer interface 12 further includes a keypad 16. Keypad 16 includes aplurality of buttons which may be actuated by a customer to provideinputs to the machine. Customer interface 12 further includes a cardreader slot 18. Card slot 18 is used to input a card with encoded datathereon that is usable to identify the customer and/or the customer'saccount information. Card slot 18 is connected to a card reader of aconventional type for reading data encoded on the card. Other exampleembodiments may include types of input devices other than a card readerand/or a keypad. Some embodiments may include input devices such asbiometric readers that may be operative to receive customer identifyinginputs such as fingerprints, iris scans, retina scans, face topographydata, voice data or other inputs that provide data that is usable toidentify a user. An example of an automated transaction machine (e.g.,ATM) that uses biometric input devices and other types of input devicesis shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,688 the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Customer interface 12 further includes an opening 20. Opening 20 aslater explained, is used to receive stacks of sheets or documents from acustomer operating machine 10. Opening 20 is also used to deliver stacksof documents to customers operating the machine. Although opening 20 isshown exposed in FIG. 1, it should be understood that in otherembodiments it may be selectively covered by a movable gate or similarclosure structure. It should be understood that these features of thedescribed ATM user interface are examples and in other embodiments theuser interface may include different components and/or features.

As shown in FIG. 2 machine 10 has a generally divided body structurewhich includes a chest portion 22. Chest portion 22 in the exampleembodiment is preferably a secure chest and is used for holding items ofvalue such as currency or deposits. Chest portion 22 has a door 24 whichcan be selectively opened to gain access to the interior of the chestportion. Door 24 preferably includes a combination lock or other lockingmechanism (not shown) which prevents the chest portion from being openedby unauthorized persons.

Machine 10 further includes an upper enclosure portion 26. The upperenclosure portion has components of the customer interface 12 thereon.The customer interface portion 12 includes a fascia 28. Fascia 28 ispreferably movably mounted on the upper enclosure portion 26 and may beselectively opened to gain access to components housed in the upperenclosure portion. A locking mechanism (not shown) is preferablyincluded in the upper enclosure portion of the example embodiment forpreventing unauthorized persons from gaining access to the interiorthereof.

As shown in FIG. 3 machine 10 includes a plurality of devices forcarrying out banking transactions. It should be understood that thedevices discussed hereafter are examples and that additional ordifferent devices may be included in other embodiments.

The interior of ATM 10 is schematically shown in FIG. 3. The example ATMincludes devices for handling sheets such as notes and other documents.ATM 10 includes sheet dispensing devices, document producing devices andsheet receiving devices. Among the sheet dispensing devices are currencydispensers 30 and 32. Currency dispensers 30 and 32 may be of the typeshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,747, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein, which selectively dispense sheets one at a time inresponse to control signals. Currency dispensers 30 and 32 may includeremovable sheet holding containers or canisters which include indiciathereon. The canisters may be interchangeable and of the type shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,871,085, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.The indicia on the sheet holding canisters may be indicative of the typeand/or properties of sheets held therein (i.e. currency type anddenomination) and the indicia is read by a reading apparatus when thecanister is installed in the machine.

The example ATM may operate in response to the indicia on the canistersto adjust the operation of the dispensers to conform to the canistercontents and position. In the example embodiment the sheet holdingcanisters and other devices, may include indicia of the type shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,871,085. The information represented by the indicia isread by the reading apparatus and the resulting signals transmitted tothe machine control circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts operationof the sheet dispensing and receiving devices in response to the signalsto conform to the type and character of the sheets held in the variouscanisters.

In the example embodiment of machine 10 shown in FIG. 3, the machinepreferably includes a note handling mechanism including sheet receivingand delivering devices 34, 36 and 38. The example sheet receiving anddelivering devices may be of the type shown in U.S. application Ser. No.09/390,929 filed Sep. 7, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. The sheet delivering and receiving devices mayenable receiving and storing sheets in selected compartments as well asselectively delivering sheets from the various compartments. As can beappreciated from the incorporated disclosure, some of the note handlingmechanisms may receive and store notes only, others may dispense notesonly and some may both receive and dispense notes. Other mechanisms mayprocess sheets of types other than notes. Machine 10 further includes anenvelope depository schematically indicated 40. Depository 40 is adevice configured to accept and hold relatively thick sheet-like depositenvelopes deposited by customers in the machine.

Depository 40, currency dispensers 30 and 32 and sheet receiving anddelivering devices 34, 36 and 38 are all positioned within the chestportion 22 of the machine 10. In the example embodiment, the sheetdispensing and receiving devices, except for the depository, in theexample embodiment may be interchangeably positioned in the machine. Thecontrol circuitry adjusts operation of the machine accordingly based onthe device positions and the indicia on the canisters or devices.

Each of the currency dispensers 30 and 32, sheet receiving anddelivering devices 34, 36 and 38, and the depository 40 are incommunication with a sheet transport path generally indicated 42. Sheettransport path 42 comprises a plurality of sheet transports which arealigned and in operative connection through a rear area of the chestportion. Sheet transport path 42 may include one or more sheettransports of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,638, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein. Each of the depository 40, currencydispensers 30 and 32 and sheet receiving and delivering devices 34, 36and 38 are in operative connection with the sheet transport path 42, andare enabled to deliver sheets to and/or receive sheets from the sheettransport path 42.

Sheet transport path 42 extends through an opening (not shown) in thechest portion 22 of the ATM chest. Wiring that connects componentslocated in the chest portion with components in the upper enclosureportion 26 also extends through an opening in the chest portion and isconnected to control circuitry, schematically indicated 44. The controlcircuitry 44 preferably includes at least one processor in operativeconnection with at least one memory or data store, and is operative tocarry out programmed instructions based on data stored in the memory.The control circuitry in the example embodiment operates the machine tocarry out the operations hereinafter described.

Upper enclosure portion 26 includes the fascia 28 and the customeraccessible opening 20. A first transport path generally indicated 46extends inside the machine from opening 20. First transport path 46preferably includes an interwoven belt type transport of the type shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,599, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference. A transport of this type is schematically shown in FIG. 5 andis generally indicated 48.

Transport 48 includes a plurality of spaced first rolls 50 and aplurality of intermediate spaced second rolls 52. Rolls 50 and 52, whichare preferably crowned rolls, support elastomeric belts thereon. Firstrolls 50 support first belts 54 and second rolls 52 support second belts56. Belts 54 and 56 extend longitudinally in the transport 48.

A stack of sheets schematically represented by sheet 58 in FIG. 5, movein engaged relation with belts 54 and 56 in the transport as describedin the incorporated patent disclosure. The configuration of transport 48enables transporting stacks having varied numbers and types of sheets,as well as transporting passbooks and other forms of stacked sheets. Thetransport of the example embodiment is useful because of its ability totransport sheets of various types, having varied thicknesses andfrictional properties while minimizing skewing.

Referring again to FIG. 3, first transport path 46 intersects withtransport path 42 at a first intersection, generally indicated 60. Ashereinafter explained the example embodiment comprises a separatingmechanism that separates sheets individually from a stack and a stackassembly mechanism that produces a stack of documents. In the exampleembodiment, sheets are selectively stacked and unstacked while movingthrough first intersection 60 to enable processing of sheets within themachine 10.

Upper enclosure portion 26 also includes various sheet producing,dispensing and/or receiving devices. These dispensing and receivingdevices may include dispensers or devices for receiving or dispensingsheets similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,747 or U.S.application Ser. No. 09/390,929, and may include removable canisters forholding sheets therein. Such removable canisters may also includeindicia of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,085, which are readby apparatus within the machine. The control circuitry may be operativeto control the operation of the machine in response to the indicia.

Devices 62 and 64 may serve as part of document producing device and mayhold sheets such as blank receipt or statement forms. Alternatively, oneof such canisters may hold blank instruments which must be completed,such as scrip forms, money orders or travelers checks. A further sheetdispensing device 66 may dispense documents that need to be completedbefore dispense documents that need to be completed before dispense suchas bank checks or documents that are dispensed without furtherprocessing such as plates of stamps.

A sheet receiving device 68 is also preferably included in the upperenclosure portion. Sheet receiving device 68 may be used for holdingsheets such as checks or other instruments, which have been input by acustomer to the machine and which have been imaged and/or canceledthrough processing in the machine.

The example upper enclosure portion further includes at least oneprinting device schematically indicated 70. Printing device 70 may beused for selectively printing on sheets under control of the controlcircuitry. An imaging device schematically indicated 72 is alsoincluded. Imaging device 72 is preferably of the type which enablesreading and generating an electronic image of a document, such as thatshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,682 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,413 thedisclosures of each of which are incorporated as if fully rewrittenherein. In some embodiments an imaging device may operate in conjunctionwith the control circuitry to produce signals which comprise anelectronic representation of an image of a check or other instrument.The electronic representation may include all or selected portions ofone or both sides of the sheet. For example in some situations it may besuitable to obtain an electronic image of alphabetic, numerical and/orother symbols or features on the check. For example such data may beanalyzed using character recognition software such as softwarecommercially available from Check Solutions Inc. or other companies todetermine the maker, amount, and/or other data pertinent to the checkfor purposes of receiving and/or cashing the check. Thus, financialcheck data can be read by one or more check readers.

In some embodiments printing devices or other devices may also serve aspart of a cancellation device. Such a cancellation device may serve toprint or otherwise mark checks or other documents received by themachine. For example, the machine may mark as cancelled checks which arereceived and processed by the ATM. In some embodiments such checks ordocuments may be marked through operation of the cancellation device andthen stored in a check storage location in the machine. In otherembodiments the cancellation device after the document has been imaged,may mark the document as cancelled and return the cancelled document tothe user of the machine. In some embodiments one or more such cancelleddocuments may be assembled in a stack in a manner hereafter discussed,when returned to a user. Cancelled documents may also be returned in anassembled stack with other documents such as a receipt for thetransaction and/or notes dispensed by the ATM as a result of cashing thecheck. The control circuitry may also operate to store datacorresponding to the check and the identity of the user of the ATMproviding the check to the machine in one or more data store forpurposes of record keeping. For example the data store may store datacorresponding to the check with the data that corresponds to a user'saccount number, biometric data, photograph or other data usable toidentify a user. Of course these approaches are examples and otherapproaches may be used.

In some embodiments the control circuitry may operate to check the useridentity data before cashing one or more checks. The control circuitrymay also be programmed to limit the risk of check cashing byunauthorized persons and/or to reduce the risk of money laundering. Forexample before cashing a check the control circuitry may operate tocompare data corresponding to the characters identifying the payeeindicated on the check to other input data corresponding to the user ofthe machine and/or to the characters on the check comprising theendorsement. If the payee, user and/or endorsement data does notcorrespond, the control circuitry may operate so that the check is notaccepted or cashed. Further the control circuitry may operate todetermine the amount and/or nature of checks the particular user haspresented at the ATM and/or within a prior time period. The ATM may alsooperate to communicate with other computers in a network to determinethe amount or nature of checks presented by the user at other ATMs. Ifthe user's check presenting activities fall outside certain establishedprogrammed parameters, such that the user's activities may be indicativeof theft of the check or money laundering, for example, the ATM mayrefuse the transaction.

In the alternative and/or in addition a user presenting a check may berequired by the control circuitry to provide at least one biometricinput. This may be done even in circumstances where the user may beidentifiable by data on a card or another manner. The biometricidentification data may be compared to stored data (and/or user carddata) and used to evaluate the check cashing activities of thisparticular user. A determination may be made by the control circuitry orby a remote computer to determine if the activities fall outside theestablished parameters such that the current transaction is suspiciousand not permitted. In this way a user with multiple cards and/ormultiple identities may be prevented from conducting transactions thatmight be suspicious in terms of theft or money laundering. Of coursesome embodiments may also operate to cross check biometric data withdata on a debit or credit card or other item or other device presentedby the user to the ATM to provide greater assurance as to the identityof the user. Of course in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

The example handling devices 62, 64 and 66, as well as the sheetreceiving device 68, of the ATM are all in communication with one ormore transports. These transports may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,342,165, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, or othersuitable sheet transport devices. The sheet transport devices form asheet transport path 74. Sheet transport path 74 extends to transportpath 46 and meets transport path 46 at a second intersection 76.

The upper enclosure portion may also include additional or otherdevices. Such devices may include a journal printer as schematicallyindicated by rolls 78. The journal printer is used to make a paperrecord of transactions conducted at machine 10. Electronic journals mayalso be made by the control circuitry and stored in memory. Otherdevices which may be included in the machine are other types of documentproducing devices, audio output devices, customer sensors, cameras andrecorders, biometric sensing devices and other apparatus suitable foruse in the operation of the particular type of automated bankingmachine.

Transport paths 42, 46 and 74 of the example machine are shown ingreater detail in FIG. 4. Transport path 46, which includes one or moretransports of the interwoven belt type shown in FIG. 5. The transportpath has therein a plurality of first belts 80 which extend betweenfirst rolls 82 and 84. First rolls 82 and 84 are selectively driven by areversible drive, schematically indicated 86.

Second belts 88 extend between a second roll 90 and rolls 92, 94 and 96.Second belts 88 are driven by a second reversible drive schematicallyindicated 98. As shown in FIG. 4, roll 96 is selectively movable forpurposes which are later explained. Of course it should be understoodthat the belts and rolls shown in the first transport path 46 areactually a plurality of spaced belts and rolls of the type shown in FIG.5.

First transport path 46 further includes a further transport section100. Transport section 100 is similar to the transport shown in FIG. 5and includes a plurality of third belts 102 journaled on spaced rolls104 and 106.

Rolls 106 have positioned adjacent thereto a plurality of holding rolls108. Rolls 108 are positioned in spaced axial intermediate relation ofthird belts 102. This configuration imparts a wave configuration tosheets and stacks of sheets in a manner comparable to that imparted tosheets held by transport 48 as shown in FIG. 5. Holding rolls 108 andtransport section 100 are independently driven by reversible drives (notshown) under the control of the control circuitry 44.

Adjacent to first intersection 60, where sheet path 42 meets sheet path46, is a sheet directing apparatus generally indicated 110. Sheetdirecting apparatus 110 includes sheet engaging rolls 112 and furtherrolls 114. Rolls 112 and 114 have resilient belts 116 mounted thereon.It should be understood that rolls 112 and 114 are driven by one or moreindependent reversible drives (not shown) under control of the controlcircuitry 44. It should be understood that rolls 112 and 114 and belts116 in FIG. 4, represent a plurality of such belts and rolls which arepreferably disposed in intermediate relation between the lower flightsof first belts 80.

Transport path 42 further includes transport 118 which is adjacent todepository 40. Transport 118 includes a plurality of rolls which drivebelts 120 in response to a reversing drive (not shown). Rolls 122 whichare engaged with belts 120, as well as rolls 124 which are independentlydriven by one or more reversible drives (not shown), are positioned inthe sheet path 42 adjacent to rolls 114 and 96. The purpose of thisconfiguration is later discussed in detail.

As schematically represented in FIG. 4 transport path 46 includessensing devices. These sensing devices are in operative connection withthe control circuitry 44, and operate to sense features of sheets andstacks of sheets in the sheet transport path. A thickness sensorschematically indicated 126 is preferably provided for sensing thethickness of sheets, stacks of sheets, or sheet like deposit envelopesthat move along transport path 46. Indicia reading devices 128 and 130are preferably operative to sense indicia on sheets and envelopes movingin the transport path. The sensing devices may include photo reflectivedevices, magnetic sensing devices or other appropriate devices fordistinguishing currency, various types of negotiable instruments anddeposit envelopes. For example in some embodiments the sensing devicesin combination with the control circuitry in the machine may comprise avalidating device for assessing the validity of notes or otherdocuments. An example of such a validating device is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,923,413 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. In someembodiments the validating device may additionally or alternatively beoperative to identify individual notes. For example, the validatingdevice may produce through algorithms one or more distinctive valuesthat are generally uniquely associated with a particular note. Inaddition or in the alternative, the validating device may includecharacter recognition capabilities which enable determination of theserial numbers or other unique characters associated with particularnotes. This may enable some embodiments of the machine to store incorrelated relation in at least one data store, data that uniquelyidentifies a note input to the ATM and the particular user who providedthe note to the machine. This may enable the ATM to identify aparticular suspect note and capture the information on the user whoprovided it to the machine. The particular type, position andcapabilities of sensing devices and/or validating devices used in aparticular machine will depend on the characteristics and types ofdocuments which are intended to be processed by the machine.

Various sheet manipulating and processing operations performed by theexample automated banking machine of the described embodiment are nowexplained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6-21.

FIG. 6 shows a sheet 132 moving through the intersection 60 of the firstsheet path 46 and sheet path 42. Sheet 132, prior to reaching theposition shown in FIG. 6, may have been dispensed by one of the sheetdispensing devices positioned adjacent to transport path 42 and movedadjacent to the intersection by the transports which make up thetransport path. As sheet 132 approaches the intersection it is engagedby belts 116 of the sheet directing apparatus 110, as well as belts 88.The control circuitry operates the drives which move the belts to workin cooperating relation to move the sheet toward the intersection. Oncethe sheet is passed through the intersection it is engaged between thelower flights of belt 80 and the upper flights of belts 88, and thesheet 132 is carried in the first direction indicated by Arrow A in FIG.6. As will be appreciated from FIG. 4, Arrow A is in the direction ofthe customer opening 20 of the automated banking machine.

As shown in FIG. 7 in the mode of operation currently being described,the structures act as a stack assembly mechanism (e.g., a stacker). Oncesheet 132 is fully moved through the intersection in the first transportpath 146, movement of the sheet in the first direction is stopped. Thisis accomplished by the control circuitry 44 operating the transportdrives in accordance with its program logic stored in memory, and inresponse to customer inputs at the customer interface. A sensorschematically indicated 134 positioned in the first sheet path sensesthe position of the sheet. Sensor 134 is in operative connection withthe control circuitry. Sensor 134 may be one of several types of sensorssuitable for sensing the position of sheets, such as a photo reflectivetype sensor. Once sheet 132 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, belts 80and 88 are stopped.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control circuitry now operates the components ofthe machine to move sheet 132 in a second opposed direction as indicatedby Arrow B. To move sheet 132 through the intersection in the opposeddirection, sheet engaging rolls 112 and belts 116 rotate to preventsheet 132 from passing into the second sheet transport path 42.Transport section 100 is also operated by the control circuitry toengage sheet 132 and move it in the opposed direction. A sheet turnovermember 136 later described in detail, is moved to enable sheet 132 topass roll 82 in the first sheet path.

As shown in FIG. 9 sheet 132 is moved in the second direction until itis engaged between holding rolls 108 and transport section 100. A sensorwhich is schematically indicated 138 is positioned to sense that sheet132 is positioned in the holding device provided by the combination ofholding rolls 108 and transport section 100. Sensor 138 is operativelyconnected to the control circuitry which operates to stop furthermovement of sheet 132 in the second direction when it has reached theposition shown. It should be noted that sheet 132 in this position isheld adjacent to second intersection 76, which is the intersection ofsheet path 74 and sheet path 46.

The next step in the operation of the example stack assembly mechanismis represented in FIG. 10. A further sheet 140 is moved in transportpath 42 toward the intersection 60. Sheet 140 may be dispensed by one ofthe sheet dispensing devices, sheet producing devices or is otherwise inthe path, and is moved toward the intersection. As sheet 140 movesadjacent to the intersection it is engaged by the belts 116 of sheetdirecting apparatus 110 as well as belts 88. Sheet 140 is also sensed bya sensor 142 in transport path 42. Sensor 142 is in operative connectionwith the control circuitry. The control circuitry operates to accuratelycoordinate the movement of the sheet 140 in engagement with the sheetdirecting apparatus 110 and belts 88.

As sheet 140 moves toward the intersection 60 the control circuitryoperates to begin moving sheet 132 in the first direction along path 46toward the intersection. The control circuitry coordinates the operationof the drives for the various components so that sheet 140 and sheet 132pass through the intersection 60 in coordinated relation. As a result,sheets 132 and 140 engage in aligned, abutting relation so as to form astack as they move through the intersection 60.

As shown in FIG. 11 once sheets 140 and 132 have passed intersection 60in the first direction, they are in a stack generally indicated 144. Asschematically indicated in FIG. 11, in this mode of operation sensor 144is operative to sense passage of the stack through the intersection andthe control circuitry is operative to stop movement of the stack in thefirst direction in response to signals from the sensor. After sheets 132and 140 have combined to form stack 144, additional sheets may be addedto the stack. This is accomplished by moving the stack 144 in the seconddirection similar to that which is done with sheet 132 previously, asrepresented in FIG. 8. Stack 144 is moved to the position shown in FIG.12 in which it is held by the holding device formed by holding rolls 108and transport section 100. Thereafter, additional sheets may be added tothe stack by passing sheets on transport path 42 and engaging suchsheets in aligned relation with the stack in a manner similar to thatrepresented in FIG. 10.

It will be appreciated that a stack comprising a significant number ofgenerally aligned and abutting sheets may be formed in the mannerdescribed. Because the sheets are selectively dispensed from thedispensing devices and/or sheet producing devices adjacent to transportpath 42, the sheets may be stacked in a desired order as determined bythe control circuitry. For example, sheets which are currency notes maybe stacked in order from highest to lowest denomination, or vice versa.Particular sheets may be placed in a desired location within the stack.Once the stack has been assembled in the desired manner by the controlcircuitry of the machine, it may be moved in first transport path 46 tothe opening 20 so it may be taken by a customer.

It should also be noted that in the position of stack 144 shown in FIG.12, the stack is positioned in the holding device formed by holdingrolls 108 and transport section 100 adjacent to intersection 76.Intersection 76 is the intersection of transport path 46 and transportpath 74. Transport path 74 extends to the devices housed in the upperenclosure portion 26 of machine 10.

As schematically represented in FIG. 16, a sheet 146 may be moved fromone of the devices adjacent to sheet path 74 to engage the stack 144 atintersection 76 as the stack moves in the first direction. This enablesadding sheets to the stack which are housed in the sheet dispensingdevices and/or document producing devices adjacent to sheet path 74. Thestack formed by the addition of sheets from sheet path 74 may be movedthrough sheet path 46 to the customer.

It will be understood that sheets from sheet path 74 may be deliveredindividually through intersection 76 into sheet path 46, and maythereafter be added to a stack formed at intersection 60 in a mannersimilar to that previously described. It should also be understood thatsheet path 74 includes appropriate sensors that are operativelyconnected to the control circuitry. The control circuitry operates sothat sheets from the sheet path 74 may be added to a stack in engaged,aligned relation with the other sheets in the stack as the sheets passthrough intersection 76. As a result the associated structures operateas a further stack assembly mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 15, example machine 10 further includes the capabilityof taking sheets in the first sheet path and turning them over using aturnover device. This may be done as shown in FIG. 15, through the useof sheet turnover member 136. Example sheet turnover member 136comprises a member including arcuate guides or tines conforming to thecontour of rolls 82. When the turnover member is positioned adjacent torolls 82, such as in FIG. 15, a moving sheet 148 is caused to be turnedover from the position of the sheet in the first sheet path 46. This isaccomplished by moving sheet 148 in the direction of Arrow C in FIG. 15.In the example embodiment the upper belt flights of belt 80 are part ofa sheet path generally indicated 150. Sheet path 150 extends adjacent toprinting device 70 and imaging device 72 shown in FIG. 3. As a result,the sheet may be selectively moved into sheet path 150 for purposes ofconducting printing or marking thereon, such as by a cancellationdevice, for producing an electronic image of the sheet by an imagingdevice, or both. Of course other or different functions may beperformed.

Once the printing or imaging activity has been conducted on the sheet insheet path 150, the sheet may be returned to the first sheet path 46.Once the sheet 148 is returned to the first sheet path it may beselectively moved to one of the other sheet paths 42 or 74. From thesesheet paths it may be directed into and stored in an appropriate sheetstorage device or location in the machine. Alternatively, sheet 148 maybe selectively moved to be combined in a stack with other sheets atintersections 60 or 76. This may in some embodiments provide for thedelivery of cancelled checks to a user. Such cancelled checks may bedelivered in a stack with other checks, receipts, notes or otherdocuments.

In some embodiments the sheet turnover members 136 may be configured sothat sheets in transport path 150 may be directly added to a stack ofsheets at the intersection of sheet path 46 and the turnover device.This is accomplished by configuring or moving the turnover member sothat the tines in the lower position do not interfere with the passageof a stack of sheets in the first direction past the turnover member.This feature provides yet another stack assembly mechanism and may beparticularly advantageous when a customer receipt is printed on a sheetby the printer in sheet path 150, and it is desired to have the receiptat the top of the stack. This may be achieved by positioning the stackin the holding device formed by holding rolls 108 and transport section100, and moving the stack in the first direction to the right in FIG. 15as the printed receipt sheet is engaged in aligned relation with the topof the stack as the stack moves toward opening 20.

It should be understood that in other embodiments, sheets from paths 74and 42, as well as from path 150, may all be added to a stack as thestack moves from the holding device provided by transport section 100and holding rolls 108, in the first direction toward the customer. Thiscan be readily envisioned from the schematic view shown in FIG. 16 withthe stack 144 moving to the right as shown, and sheets being added tothe stack as the stack passes roll 82 and again as the stack movesthrough intersection 60. As will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, numerous configurations and operations of the system may beprovided depending on the functions carried out by the machine as wellas the programming and configuration of the control circuitry.

It should be understood that other sheet turnover devices, other than,or in addition to turnover member 136, may be provided in otherembodiments. For example, in FIG. 18 a directing member 152 is shown incooperating relation with roll 108. Directing member 152 is selectivelymovable between the position shown, wherein it is adjacent to roll 108and the position shown in phantom. As represented in FIG. 18, when thedirecting member 152 is in the position shown it is operative to directa sheet 154 that is held in the holding device formed by transportsection 110 and holding rolls 108 into transport path 74. Sheet 154 maybe moved in transport path 74 to a sheet handling device for storagetherein in the manner previously discussed.

Alternatively, turnover of the sheet 154 may be accomplished by movingit into transport path 174 and thereafter disposing directing member 152away from roll 108. Once this is done, sheet 154 may again be directedinto path 146 and moved to the right as shown in FIG. 18 so that sheet154 will move in a manner comparable to that of sheet 146 shown in FIG.16. This will result in the orientation of sheet 154 being reversed insheet path 46 from its original orientation.

The components adjacent to intersection 60 may also be operated as asheet turnover device. This is represented schematically in FIG. 20.This is accomplished by having a sheet 156 initially positioned in thefirst sheet path similar to sheet 132 in FIG. 7. The sheet is then movedinto the second sheet path at intersection 60 by operating the sheetdirecting apparatus 110 in a manner that is later discussed in detail.Once sheet 156 is in the second sheet path, the direction of belts 88and 116 is reversed while the lower flights of belt 80 are moved to movethe sheet in the second direction indicated by Arrow B. This results inthe sheet being turned over from its original orientation in thetransport.

It should be further understood that sheets which originate in transportpath 42 may also be directed in the manner shown in FIG. 20. Thisfeature enables selectively positioning sheets and turning them overthrough a number of different mechanisms this enhances the capabilitiesof the example automated banking machine.

A further useful aspect of the example embodiment is that it includes aseparating mechanism for separating sheets from a stack as representedschematically in FIGS. 13 and 14. The example embodiment shown includesthe capability of selectively separating a sheet from a stack of sheetsas the stack passes through the intersection 60 of transport path 46 andtransport path 42. As schematically represented in FIG. 13, a stack ofsheets 158 moves in the direction indicated by Arrow D in transport path46. Although stack 158 is shown as a stack of four sheets, it should beunderstood that the stack may comprise a greater or lesser number ofsheets. Stack 158 may be a stack of sheets received from a user of themachine through opening 20 and may consist of different sheet types. Forexample in some embodiments stacks accepted in the machine may includestacks of mixed notes, checks, and/or other types of sheets

As stack 158 moves toward intersection 60 the control circuitry of themachine operates sheet directing apparatus 110 so that rolls 112 and114, and belts 116 journaled thereon, move relative to the stack in adirection opposed to the direction of stack movement. As a result ofthis movement by the sheet directing apparatus, a first sheet 160 whichbounds a first side of the stack, is frictionally engaged by belts 116and is stripped and separated from the stack. The first sheet 160 isdirected into the sheet path 42 as the stack which comprises theremaining sheets continues on path 46. This enables sheet 160 to behandled separately by the devices adjacent to path 42, or to be laterbrought individually back to path 46 for individual transport to devicesadjacent to other paths.

It should be noted that in the example embodiment a sensor 162 ispositioned adjacent to path 42. Sensor 162 may be a photo electricsensor connected to the control circuitry for sensing the position ofthe sheet. Alternatively, sensor 162 may comprise a plurality of similaror different sensors adapted for sensing features of a sheet. Sensor 162may be part of a validation device such as that previously discussedthat is suitable for determining note type and denomination. Thisenables the control circuitry to properly identify a currency sheet andplace it in a designated note handling mechanism, storage position, orother the sheet receiving device. Sensors 162 may alternatively operatein connection with the control circuitry to provide a validationmechanism to determine or assess the genuineness of a sheet. In otherembodiments other features such as magnetic ink indicia, bar coding andother features may be detected for purposes of identifying the type ofsheet as it moves past the sensors.

As previously mentioned, in some embodiments the validation device maybe operative to identify particular sheets, such as by serial number orother characteristics. In some embodiments such information may bestored for suspect notes, and in others for all or certain selectedcategories of notes. Such data concerning individual notes may be storedin a data store in correlated relation with information usable todetermine the identity of the user who provided the note to the machine.Other data may be stored as well, such as for example, the storagelocation or position where the note is stored in the machine or otherinformation that can be used to recover the particular note and/or todocument the transaction.

In some embodiments the machine may hold in a data store, identifyinginformation related to notes for purposes of comparison to notesprovided to the machine. This may include in some embodimentsinformation corresponding to properties, characteristics or numbersassociated with known counterfeit or invalid notes. Such informationused for comparison may also include identifying data for individualnotes already deposited in the machine. Thus for example, if a noteprovided to the machine is individually identified by determining theserial number, the serial number may be compared through operation ofthe control circuitry to stored data for serial numbers of knowncounterfeits. Alternatively or in addition, the serial number of thenote provided to the ATM may be compared to serial numbers for notespreviously deposited or input in the machine. In the event of a match ineither example the control circuitry would act in response to theapparent suspect note in accordance with its programming. This mayinclude capturing and storing the suspect note, capturing additionaldata about the user presenting the suspect note, notifying authoritiesor taking other action.

In embodiments where identifying data on all notes is captured and usedfor comparison, the control circuitry may operate to indicate when thenote has been dispensed out of the machine. This may include for exampledeleting the information about the note such as its serial number fromthe data store upon dispense. Alternatively such indication may includestoring the information indicative that the particular note has beendispensed. The information about the note dispensed may in someembodiments be stored in correlated relation with information unable toidentify the user who received the note from the machine. Of courseother approaches may be used in other embodiments and the approachesdiscussed with regard to notes may also be applied to other types ofdocuments.

Returning to the discussion of the operation of the separatingmechanism, after sheet 160 is separated from the stack 158 as shown inFIG. 14, the control circuitry may operate the transports in the firstpath 46 to move the remaining stack to a position to the right of theintersection 60. If it is desired to separate an additional sheet fromthe stack, the remaining sheets may be moved through the intersectionagain in the direction of Arrow D to accomplish separation of the sheetthat is newly bounding the side of the stack. Alternatively, if thecontrol circuitry determines that it is not necessary to separate afurther sheet from the stack, the sheet directing apparatus may beoperated so that belts 116 and rollers 112 and 114, move in the samedirection as rollers 92 and at a similar speed. This will result in thestack passing through the intersection without a sheet being separatedfrom the stack.

It should be understood that while in the embodiment shown the sheetdirecting apparatus comprises a plurality of rolls having resilientsurfaces thereon that move at a relative speed that is less than thespeed of the moving stack, in other embodiments other types of strippingand separating devices may be used. These may include for example,resilient pads or rolls. Such devices may also include resilient suctioncup type mechanisms or vacuum generating devices. Further alternativeforms of sheet directing devices may include other physical members thatengage selectively one or more sheets so as to direct them from path 46into another path 42.

It should also be noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIGS.13, 14 and 23, sheets may be separated from a stack as the stack movesfrom right to left. However, in other embodiments it may be desirable toarrange the sheet directing apparatus so that sheets may be separatedfrom a stack when the stack moves in either direction. This may bereadily accomplished through arrangements of resilient rollers or otherstripping devices or members which may be selectively actuated to engageand separate a sheet upon passage of a stack through an intersection.This configuration may have advantages in other embodiments wheregreater speed in sheet separation is desired.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, in some bankingmachines it may be desirable to process certain sheets individually. Forexample, if it is determined that a sheet separated from a stack is acheck or other negotiable instrument that must be transferred to theimaging device, it may be desirable to clear a path which enables thesheet requiring such handling to be transported individually. This canbe accomplished by disposing the stack of sheets that are not currentlybeing processed individually away from the single sheet in first path46. In this manner the sheet requiring individual handling can betransferred to path 150 or such other location as may be necessarywithout causing the remaining stack to undergo transport to anundesirable location.

A further alternative to facilitate individual handling of particularsheets is represented by the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 19. Inthis embodiment path 46 includes three separately controlled transportsections 164, 166 and 168. Transport section 164 is similar to thetransport previously discussed, except that its belts terminate at rolls170 and 172. Transport section 166 may include an interwoven belttransport similar to that shown in FIG. 5 with the exception that itsbelts are offset from those in transport section 164. Transport section166 may be driven by one or more independent reversible drives fromtransport section 164. The drive for transport section 166 is inoperative connection with and operates under the control of the controlcircuitry.

Transport section 166 terminates in rolls 174 and 176. Rolls 174 and 176are coaxial with other rolls that are spaced intermediate thereto thatare part of transport section 168. Transport section 168 terminates atrolls 178 and 180 which are adjacent to a customer accessible openingindicated 182. Transport section 168 is operated by at least oneindependent reversible drive in response to the control circuitry.

Transport sections 166 and 168 along path 46 provide locations in whichdocuments or stacks of documents may be temporarily stored as otherdocuments are routed through intersections 60 and 76. After thenecessary processing is done on the individual documents, the documentsthat are temporarily stored in the transport sections 166 and 168 may bemoved to other transport sections for further processing. It should beunderstood that transport sections 166 and 168 include appropriatesensors for sensing the positions of the documents being temporarilystored therein which enables the control circuitry to coordinatemovement thereof.

A further advantage of the example embodiment described herein is thatnot only may the automated banking machine 10 accept individualdocuments and stacks of documents from a customer, but it may alsoaccept conventional deposit envelopes. As shown in FIG. 17 a thick sheetlike deposit envelope 184 may be moved along path 46 from a customer.The identification of the deposited item as a deposit envelope may bemade based on readings from sensors 126, 128 or 130 as shown in FIG. 4,or alternatively or in addition based on customer inputs through one ormore input devices at the customer interface 12 of the machine.

Deposit envelope 184 moves in transport path 46 in the direction ofArrow E as shown in FIG. 17. Upon determining that the item moving inthe transport path is a deposit envelope, the control circuitry operatesthe sheet directing apparatus 110 to direct the envelope into transportpath 42. The control circuitry also enables roll 96 and belts 88 to movein the direction indicated by Arrow F. This causes the flight of belt 88to move to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 4. This enables theenvelope to move into the depository device 40 (see FIG. 3) in which itmay be stacked in aligned relation with other envelopes. Further thecontrol circuitry may also operate transport 118 and rolls 124 shown inFIG. 4 to assure that envelope 184 does not pass further along sheettransport path 42 than the depository 40.

The ability of the embodiment of the automated banking machine to handledepository envelopes, stacks of sheets and individual sheets, providesenhanced functionality for the machine. The ability of the exampleembodiment to accept thick items in the area of path 42 adjacent to theintersection, also enables the control circuitry to use the areaadjacent to the intersection as a temporary storage location for stacksof sheets. This may be desirable in some embodiments where a receiptform is delivered on transport path 74 and must be directed to transportpath 150 for printing thereon before being combined with a stack to bedelivered to a customer.

The example embodiment of the ATM has the capability of storing theassembled stack of sheets adjacent to intersection 60 in transport path42 until such time as the printed receipt is moved into the intersectionalong first path 46. As the receipt form is produced by a documentproducing device and moved into the intersection 60 by transport section100, the stack is moved into the intersection in coordinated relationtherewith so that the printed receipt is assembled into the stack andpositioned at the top side of the stack. The assembled stack may bemoved along transport path 46 to the opening where it may be taken bythe customer.

In some embodiments the ATM may also operate to provide certain types ofdocuments in exchange for other documents. As previously discussed, someembodiments may involve a check cashing transaction. For example, themachine can receive or accept checks (or other instruments), validatethe check, and provide the user with currency notes. In someembodiments, a user may provide notes to the ATM and receive other typesof documents such as money orders, scrip, vouchers, gift certificates orbank checks. In some embodiments the control circuitry may operate inthe manner previously discussed to store information concerningindividual notes in a data store in correlated relation with informationusable to identify the user who deposited the notes in the machine. Someembodiments may store in correlated relation with all or a portion ofsuch data, information which identifies the check, money order or otherdocument provided by the machine to the user.

In some embodiments the ability of a single user to provide cash to theATM may be controlled or limited to avoid money laundering or othersuspect activities. For example, a user placing notes in the ATM topurchase money orders or other documents, may be required to provide atleast one identifying input. This may include a biometric input such asa thumbprint for example. Such at least one identifying input mayinclude data on a card or other device a user provides to operate themachine, or may be in lieu thereof or in addition thereto.Alternatively, some embodiments may enable use of the ATM to buydocuments such as money orders, gift certificates or other documentswithout using a card or similar device to access the machine. In somecases a user may exchange notes of certain denominations for notes ofother denominations. In such cases the control circuitry may require atleast one identifying input from the user requesting to exchange cashfor other documents.

The control circuitry may operate in accordance with programmedinstructions and parameters to limit the number or value of documents auser may purchase or otherwise receive. This may include comparing useridentifying data with data input in connection with prior transactions.This may be done by comparing user input data stored in a data store atthe particular ATM, and/or data stored in computers connected to theATM. By limiting the number or value of documents a user can purchasewith cash, either overall, for a particular document or within a giventime period, the risk of illegal activities such as money laundering canbe minimized. Further such systems may more readily enable funds to betracked.

An alternative embodiment of an automated banking machine is indicated186 in FIG. 22. Machine 186 is similar to machine 10 except that itincludes two fascias and customer interfaces designated 188 and 190.Machine 186 is capable of operation by two users generallysimultaneously.

The sheet handling mechanism for machine 186 is indicated 192 in FIG.21. The sheet handling mechanism 192 is similar to that described in thefirst embodiment, except as otherwise noted. Mechanism 192 includes afirst customer accessible opening 194 in customer interface 190, and asecond customer accessible opening 196 in customer interface 188.Customer opening 196 receives and delivers sheets through a transportsection 197. Transport section 197 is preferably an interwoven belt typetransport of the type shown in FIG. 5 and is capable of moving sheets,envelopes and stacks of sheets in engagement therewith. Transportsection 197 is operated by a reversible drive similar to the reversibledrives used for the other belt transport sections, and is in operativeconnection with the control circuitry of the machine.

The operation of the alternative sheet handling mechanism 192 is similarto that previously described except that the sheets, envelopes or stacksof sheets that are processed may be received from or delivered to eithercustomer opening 194 or customer opening 196. Because of the high speedcapability of the example embodiment, it is possible for the sheethandling mechanism 192 to adequately service two users simultaneouslywithout undue delay.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the modificationsnecessary for the sheet handling mechanism of the first embodiment toaccommodate two simultaneous users is relatively modest. In the exampleembodiment it is possible to increase the number of customer interfaceson the machine from one to two at a relatively small cost. This isparticularly advantageous for an ATM positioned in a high customertraffic area. It is also useful for automated banking machines, such asthose used by bank tellers to count and dispense currency notes. This isbecause the configuration of the sheet handling mechanism enables twotellers or other bank personnel to be serviced by a single machine.

Example embodiments may operate to assure operation in accordance withthe principles of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/664,698 filed Sep. 19,2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fullyrewritten herein.

In an example embodiment, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 24-36, asheet handling mechanism includes features to reduce the risk that astack of sheets may become misaligned from each other as they move alonga transport, such as sheet transport 300. Such misalignment of the stackor “shingling” may occur, especially when the stack is being built andmoving back and forth along the transport path. The sheet transport 300includes a plurality of continuous belts 302 which extend about sets ofrolls 304, 305 (FIGS. 32-35). It should be understood that the transport300 can include belts that extend the entire length of the transport, orcan include several belts which span separate sections of the entirelength of the transport.

In an example embodiment, continuous belts are arranged so that thetransport includes a plurality of generally parallel belt flights. Thesebelt flights are represented in FIG. 24 by belt flights 308, 310 and312. The belt flights are vertically spaced from each other. Each of thebelt flights extend along a longitudinal direction of the transport, inwhich longitudinal direction the sheets are moved.

The belts move or stop moving in response to the rotation of the rolls304. The rolls 304 are driven by one or more independent reversibledrives (not shown) under control of control circuitry 44. The controlcircuitry 44 preferably includes at least one processor in operativeconnection with at least one memory or data store, and is operative tocarry out programmed instructions based on data stored in the memory.The control circuitry in the example embodiment operates the automatedtransaction machine (e.g., ATM) to carry out the operations hereinafterdescribed. This operation can include operation of the belts.

As shown in FIG. 24, a first column of bearing assemblies in the form ofroller assemblies 314 is disposed transversely intermediate the pair ofbelt flights 308, 310. A second column of roller assemblies 314 isdisposed transversely intermediate the pair of belt flights 310, 312.That is, roller assemblies 314 are vertically positioned within gapscreated by the vertical spacing between the belts 308, 310, 312. Itshould be understood that the positioning of the belt flights and theroller assemblies is not limited to the vertical orientation. That is,in other example embodiments the belt flights and the roller assembliescan be horizontally positioned.

FIGS. 25-29 show each of the example roller assemblies 314 in moredetail. Each roller assembly 314 includes a roller 316 that is rotatablyand removably mounted in a support body 318. As best depicted in FIGS.25-26, the roller 316 includes a thin cylindrical member or wheel 320and a cylindrical axle 322 extending through the hub 324 of the wheel320. The axle 322 includes symmetrical axial portions 326, 328 onopposite sides of the wheel 320. Each axial portion includes a proximalportion 330 extending from the hub 324 and a distal portion 332extending outward from the proximal portion 330. The proximal portion330 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the distal portion 332.The proximal portions 330 are equal in length to each other, and thedistal portions 332 are equal in length to each other.

The roller 316 can be formed of one piece. In the example embodiment theroller is made of a single unitary plastic piece. The plastic piece canbe formed by injection molding or other suitable process. Alternativelythe roller can be formed of two or more pieces. The roller can also bemade of suitable materials other than plastic such as steel.

Referring to FIGS. 27-29, the example support body 318 includes arectangular top wall 334 (as shown in FIG. 27) and side walls 336 thatextend downwardly and slightly outwardly. The support body 318 furtherincludes a longitudinal slot 338 formed in center of the top wall 334. Apair of opposite axle bearings 340, 342 is formed on opposite lateralends 344, 346 of the slot 338 at its center. The axle bearings aresimilar in construction and function, so only the axial bearing 340 willbe described. In particular, the axle bearing 340 includes a detentrecess 348 formed in the top wall 334. The detent recess 348 laterallyextends outwardly from the associated lateral end 344 of the slot 338.As best seen in FIG. 29, the detent recess 348 is defined by a curvedbottom wall 350, a pair of opposing side walls 352, 354, and an end wall356 that extends between the side walls 352, 354. The bottom wall 350 isgenerally U-shaped in cross section as seen in FIG. 29. The side walls352, 354 are similar in construction and function so only the side wall354 will be described. The side wall 352 includes an upper surface 358and a lower surface 360. The upper surface 358 extends from a roundedupper edge of the detent recess 348 and slopes downwardly and inwardlyin a straight direction therefrom toward the other opposing side wall.Thus, as viewed in FIG. 29, the upper surfaces 358 of the side walls352, 354 converge or slant toward each other going deeper into thedetent recess 348.

The lower surface 360 has a first portion 362 adjacent the end wall 356.The lower surface has a second portion 364 located between the slot 338(FIG. 27) and the first portion 362. The first portion 362 extendsdownwardly from the lower end of the upper surface 358 terminating atthe bottom wall 350. The second portion 364 curves outwardly anddownwardly from the lower end of the upper surface 358 and then slopesdownwardly and outwardly in a straight direction away from the otheropposing side wall. The intersection of the second portion 364 of thelower surface 360 and the upper surface defines an elastic catchprojection 366. The catch projection 366 has sufficient elasticity toallow it to flex outwardly when a predetermined force is appliedoutwardly to it, and then move back to its original position when theforce is withdrawn. The support body 318 can be formed of one piece. Inthe example embodiment the support body 318 is made of a single unitaryplastic piece. The plastic piece can be formed by injection molding orother suitable process. In the example embodiment, the detent recesses348 require a mold piece to be withdrawn from the bottom of the supportbody 318 and also an opening which requires a mold piece to be withdrawnfrom the top of the body to form the detent recess. Alternatively, thesupport body 318 can be formed of two or more pieces, or other suitableconstruction.

As previous mentioned, the roller 316 is rotatably mounted on thesupport body 318. When the roller 316 is rotatably mounted to thesupport body 318, the wheel extends through the slot 338 such thatapproximately a quarter of the wheel 320 extends above the top wall 334as seen in FIG. 28. Each distal portion 332 of the axle 322 is seated onthe bottom wall 350 of the corresponding detent recess 348 as best seenin FIG. 25. The proximal portions 330 of the axle 322 are eachpositioned between the free edge 368 of the bottom wall 350 of therespective detent recess 348 and the wheel 320 as best seen in FIG. 25.The height of the catch projections 366 (FIG. 29) and the distancebetween the lower surfaces 360 of the opposing side walls 352, 354 isgreater than the diameter of the distal portion 332. However, thedistance between the catch projections 366 of the opposing side walls352, 354 is less than the diameter of the proximal portion 330. Thus,the axle 322 can freely rotate about its rotating axis but is preventedfrom falling out of the detent recesses 348 by the catch projections366, unless a sufficient force is applied to the catch projections 366to flex them outwardly.

Also, as best seen in FIG. 25, each proximal portion 330 is spaced anaxial distance from the free edge 368 of the bottom wall 350 that issmaller than the axial distance between the wheel 320 and the lateralends 344, 346 of the slot 342, so that the end of the proximal portion330 first contacts the edge 368 when the wheel 320 shifts or moves alongthe rotating axis. This allows the wheel 320 to more freely rotate andprevents jamming of the wheel 320, since the contact area between theproximal portion 330 and the edge 368 of the bottom wall 350 is lessthan the contact area between the wheel 320 and the support body 318should this situation occur. The rollers 316 can function as idler (orfollower) rollers that are driven to rotate by movement of the stackpressed there against.

The roller 316 is removably mounted to the support body 318 as follows.The wheel 320 is grasped by a hand of the user (e.g., a machineservicer). Alternatively, a suitable tool such as pliers can be used bythe user to grasp the wheel 320. The wheel 320 is then inserted into theslot 338, and the axle 322 is inserted into the detent recesses 348until the proximal portions 330 of the axle 322 engage the catchprojections 366. Then, the roller 316 is pushed with sufficient forceinto the detent recesses 348 to flex the catch projections 366 outwardlya sufficient distance to allow the proximal portions 330 to passthrough. The roller 316 is pushed into the detent recesses 348 until thedistal portions 332 are seated on the bottom walls 350 of the detentrecesses 348. Thus, a roller 316 can have a (removable) snap fitattachment with its support 318.

The example form of the transport improvements is designed for use inconnection with existing transports which move sheets such as currencynotes in an automated transaction machine (e.g., an ATM). The rollers316 may break or otherwise may need to be replaced. The exampleembodiment allows for easy removal of the roller 316 from the supportbody 318. To remove a roller 316, a service person opens the housing ofthe machine such as by unlocking and opening a door of a secure chest.The service person is then enabled to gain access to the interior of thehousing. The service person then uses a suitable tool such as pliers tograb the wheel 320 of the roller 316. The service person then pulls theroller 316 outwardly with sufficient force to cause the proximalportions 330 to engage the catch projections 366 and flex the catchprojections 366 outwardly to allow the proximal portions 330 to passthrough the catch projections 366. The user continues to pull the roller316 until it extends outside the detent recesses 348. With the priorroller 316 removed from the support body 318, a new roller 316 can thenbe rotatably movably mounted on the support body 318 by the serviceperson as previously mentioned. After the new roller 316 is mounted tothe support body 318, the service person can close and lock the door ofthe secure chest of the automated transaction machine.

In the example embodiment, the arrangement can be configured so that theroller 316 only rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to thetransport path, and that also lies in a plane parallel to the beltflight portion on the transport path facing the roller. This minimizesmovement of the stack in a direction transverse to the transport path.

FIG. 31 shows a stack of sheets 372, 376, 380 being moved sideways(e.g., out of the page). The belts 308, 310, 312 are vertically spacedfrom each other. The shown rollers 316 are likewise vertically spacedfrom each other. The stack is situated between the belts and therollers. The belts engage a first side 372 of the stack, whereas therollers engage the other side 376 of the stack. The first side of thestack is formed by the planar surface (face) of a first end sheet 372 ofthe stack. The other side of the stack is formed by the planar surface(face) of another end sheet 376 of the stack. As can be seen, the stackis oriented such that the edges of the sheets are facing upward.

In an example embodiment, the stacked sheets in FIG. 31 are currencynotes having two opposite short edges, two opposite long edges, and twoopposite faces. While in the stack, one long edge of a currency notefaces upward, whereas the other long edge faces downward. The currencynote is moved with one short edge leading and the other short edgefollowing.

In FIG. 31 each of the belt flights has a first sheet engaging surfacerepresented by surface 370 of belt flight 310, which faces in a firstfacing direction toward a sheet 372 which extends in the transport 300.Each of the rollers includes a second sheet engaging surface representedby annular surface 374 of a roller 316 included in the second column ofroller assemblies 314. The second sheet engaging surface 374 faces in asecond facing direction toward a sheet 376 and engages the sheet 376.The second facing direction is generally opposed of the first facingdirection. As will be appreciated, the first and second facingdirections in which the sheet engaging surfaces of the belt flights andthe rollers extend respectively, are both generally normal of thelongitudinal direction in which the sheets move.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 31, the configuration of the beltflights 308, 310, 312 and the rollers 316 is such that the stack ofsheets, which is in intermediate relation between the first sheetengaging surface 370 of the belt flights and the second sheet engagingsurfaces 374 of the rollers, is deformed in a wavelike configuration.The end sheet 372 is engaged with the belt flights. As a result of thewavelike configuration, when the belt flights move, the first sheet 372moves in engagement therewith, which engaging movement can cause theentire stack of sheets 372, 376, 380 to move together while remainingaligned. In an example embodiment, the wavelike configuration causesmore friction to be generated between adjacent sheets in the stack.Thus, the wavelike configuration can assist in preventing shingling ofthe stack.

In an example stack moving operation, the stack is moved while it ispositioned on its side. That is, the stack is moved while the long edgesof the notes are facing down (and up). The arrangement causes the drivebelts (located adjacent one side of the path/stack) to be engaged withthe flat face of an end note which is positioned at one end (side) ofthe stack, whereas at least one column of rollers (located adjacent theopposite side of the path/stack) is engaged with the flat face of theother end note which is positioned at the opposite end (side) of thestack.

In other alternative embodiments, the stack can be moved while it ispositioned on an end note, with the other end note located on top of thestack. For example, FIG. 31 can also be viewed as having the belts andthe rollers horizontally spaced (instead of vertically spaced) from eachother. That is, FIG. 31 can alternatively be viewed as havinghorizontally spaced belts 308, 310, 312 engaged with the top of thestack, whereas horizontally spaced rollers 316 engage the bottom of thestack. In still other alternative embodiments, the arrangement can beflipped to have the rollers engaging the top of the stack and the beltsengaging the bottom of the stack. The belts 308, 310, 312 can all be onthe same horizontal plane. In further embodiments, the belts 308, 310,312 can be arranged to respectively be both horizontally and verticallyspaced from each other to assist in causing a wavelike configuration.For example, some belts can be on different horizontal planes, such asvertically spaced planes. In a similar corresponding manner, the rollers316 can all be on a same horizontal plane. The rollers can also bearranged to respectively be both horizontally and vertically spaced fromeach other to also assist in causing the wavelike configuration.

FIG. 30 shows an alternative arrangement of the roller assemblies in thetransport 300. The roller assembly 382 includes support bodies 384. Eachsupport body 384 includes a plurality of rollers 316 that are removablyand rotatably mounted thereto. In particular, a first roller columnwould include a set or series of vertically spaced rollers 316 mountedto a first support body 384. A second roller column would includeanother series of vertically spaced rollers 316 mounted to anothersupport body 384. The columns are horizontally spaced from each other.

In other example embodiments, FIG. 30 can alternatively be viewed ashaving columns of horizontally spaced rollers 316, with the rollercolumns vertically spaced from each other. Again, the exampleembodiments allows for different arrangements to move a stack, whetherits bottom is formed by the note sides or by the flat face of the(single) bottom end note. The different arrangements allow for therollers to be located on one side of a stack, on the other side of thestack, above the stack, or below the stack. In alternative arrangements,rollers can also be positioned both on a side of a stack and below (orabove) the stack. The positioning of rollers relative to a stack (and astack transport path) similarly applies to the positioning of belts.

Since the rolling friction between the rollers and an end sheet of thestack is less than for example, the sliding friction between the endsheet and a stationary element, the end sheet facing the rollers is lesslikely to shift and begin to separate from alignment with the stack asit moves along the roller. In an example embodiment, this rollingfriction is less than the friction between the end sheet facing therollers and the next inner sheet which is located nearest to this endsheet. Less movement of the sheet relative to the stack reduces thetendency of the stack of sheets to shingle or become misaligned.

Also, because the rollers provide such a low friction engaging surfacewith the sheet, the rollers can be extended further into the sheet tofurther deform the sheet stacks. This larger deformation of the sheetsprovides a greater cross-sectional wave configuration to the sheets,which in turn further reduces the tendency of the stack of sheets toshingle or become misaligned. In addition, each roller extends adistance along the transport path that is less than the distance thatthe stack of sheets extends along the transport path. Thus, when theengaging surface of the roller engages a portion of the sheet within theperiphery of the sheet, a depression is created within the sheet that iscompletely surrounded by the sheet. This depression provides additionalresistance to movement of the sheets in the stack relative to eachother.

A system for stacking of sheets using the roller assemblies operates asshown schematically in FIGS. 32-35. The system includes a first cassette386 containing a first stack 388 of sheets to be dispensed of aparticular denomination, and a second cassette 390 containing a secondstack 392 of sheets of a different denomination. The system alsoincludes a divert bin 394 that can temporarily store sheets. Each of thecassettes 386, 390 is in operative association with a sheet picker 396.The sheet picker 396 separates individual sheets from the stack ofsheets in the associated cassette. FIG. 36 shows the sheet pickermechanism 396 in greater detail. In the example embodiment all of thepicker mechanisms can be the same, or different types of sheet pickermechanisms can be used. The sheet pickers 396 for the first and secondcassettes 386, 390 are similar in design and function, so in theinterest of brevity, only the sheet picker 396 for the second cassette390 will be described.

Picker mechanism 396 includes a picking member 398. The picking member398 is selectively rotated responsive to the controller 22 about an axis400. Bank notes or other sheets in the second stack 392 are supported bya supporting surface 402 which terminates in the area adjacent to thepicking member. A sheet or an end note 404 bounds the stack adjacent tothe picking member 398. During each rotation of the picking member 398the then current end note bounding the stack is moved and delivered fromthe stack and passed to the transport 300.

The picking member 398 has an outer bounding surface 406. The outerbounding surface 406 is in generally abutting relation with strippingmembers 408 which are alternatively referred to herein as strippermembers or strippers. As previously discussed the stripping members 408in the example embodiment do not rotate in a clockwise direction asshown in FIG. 36. In the example embodiment, the stripping members 408will however rotate in a counterclockwise direction due to action ofassociated one-way clutches as later described.

Positioned downstream of the stripping members 408 is a doubles detector410. Doubles detector 410 can be a mechanical sensor, radiation sensor,sonic sensor or other type sensor that is suitable for determining ifsingle or multiple sheets have moved past the stripping member towardthe transport. Downstream of the doubles detector are a pair of carryaway rolls 412. The carry away rolls are operative to engage sheets thathave moved sufficiently away from the stack so as to engage the rolls.The rolls which are operated by a drive in response to the controller22, operate to engage sheets and move them into the transport. It shouldbe understood that this configuration of the dispenser mechanism isexample and in other embodiments different configurations can be used.

As discussed in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,720, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety, the normal operation of thepicker mechanism involves the picking member rotating responsive to thecontroller 22 during picking operations. When it is desired to pick theend note 404, the picking member 398 rotates in a counterclockwisedirection as shown in FIG. 36 about the axis 400. This is done throughoperation of a drive or other similar device. Rotation of the pickingmember urges the end note 404 to move from the stack. The strippingmembers 408 resist the movement of the end note because the strippingmembers do not move in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 36.Because of the surface area of the picking member 398 engaging the endnote and the frictional properties of the outer bounding surface 406,the force urging the end note 404 to move from the stack generallyovercomes the resistance force of the stripping members. This is becausethe stripping members have a smaller surface area and/or a differentfrictional coefficient resulting in less resistance force than themoving force of the picking member. The stripping members howeverprovide sufficient resistance to resist generally all but the end note404 from moving from the stack. This is because the notes in the stackother than the end note, are not directly engaged with the pickingmember and do not experience the same degree of force urging them tomove from the stack.

As the end note 404 is moved from the stack, the thickness thereof canbe sensed by the doubles detector 410. The doubles detector 410 isoperatively connected to the controller and at least one signal from thedoubles detector provides an indication as to whether a single or amultiple note has been pulled from the stack. In circumstances wheremultiple notes are sensed, the controller can cause the picking memberto operate to stop rotating in the counterclockwise direction as shownin FIG. 36, and instead to rotate in a clockwise direction. When thepicking member 398 rotates in a clockwise direction to pull sheets backinto the stack 388, the example stripping members 408 are enabled tocooperatively rotate in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG.36. This is due to the one-way clutch associated with each of thestripping members. As a result the sheets are returned to the stack.Thereafter the controller 22 can again operate so as to rotate pickingmember 398 in a counterclockwise direction and an attempt is again madeto pick a single end note from the stack.

In circumstances where the doubles detector 410 senses only a singlenote passing from the stack, the controller operates a drive or othersuitable moving mechanism to cause the carry away rolls 412 to engageand move the sheet to the transport 300. It should be understood thatthe steps described as being taken responsive to operation of thecontroller are examples. In some embodiments the controller can causethe automated banking machine to operate to direct double notes to adivert bin or other storage area rather than attempting to repeatedlypick a single note. Further details of the example picking member aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,720, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. As can beappreciated from FIGS. 24 and 36, the sheet transport 300 is enabled toaccept sheets such as a sheet 372 through openings such as opening 414.

The building of the sheet stack will be described using sheets from thesecond cassette 390 being picked and passed through the opening 414.However, a similar operation can be carried out for sheets from thefirst cassette 386 as well. A transport path 416 extends from the divertbin 394, past the first and second cassettes 386, 390 until it reachesan area in which the transport delivers the stack through an outletopening to a machine user (customer). The sheet 372 can be moved alongthe transport path 416 in both a first direction, as indicated by arrowA of FIG. 32, and a second direction as indicated by arrow B of FIG. 32.The roller assemblies 314 are mounted along the transport path 416.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 24, 31, and 36, the sheet 372 passingthrough the opening 414 between the roller assemblies 314 moves inengagement with the belt flights 308, 310, 312 to become trapped insandwiched relation between the belt flights 308, 310, and 312 and therollers 316. The sheet 372 once trapped in this manner is caused to bemoved by the belt flights 308, 310, 312 to a desired location within themachine responsive to signals from the controller. Sheet 372 is fullymoved through the opening 414 in the first direction along the transportpath 416 to the location between the opening 414 of the first cassette386 and the opening 414 of the second cassette as shown in FIG. 32.After the sheet 372 is fully moved through the opening 414, a sensor418, which is positioned in the transport path 416 at a location beyondthe opening 414 of the second cassette 390 in the first direction,senses the position of the sheet 372. The sensor 418 is in operativeconnection with the control circuitry and outputs at least one signalupon sensing the sheet 372. Sensor 418 can be one of several types ofsensors suitable for sensing the position of sheets, such as a photoreflective type sensor.

Responsive at least in part to receiving the at least one output signalof the sensor, the control circuitry operates to stop movement of thesheet in the first direction. This is accomplished by the controlcircuitry 44 operating the transport drives in accordance with itsprogram logic stored in memory, and in response at least in part tocustomer inputs at the customer interface.

As shown in FIG. 33, the control circuitry now operates the componentsof the automated transaction machine (e.g., ATM) to move the sheet 372in the second direction. The sheet 372 is moved in the second directionpast the opening 414 of the second cassette 390 to location on thetransport path 416 above the divert bin 394. A sensor which isschematically indicated 420 is positioned to sense that sheet 372 ispositioned on the transport path 416 below the opening 414. The sensor420 is operatively connected to the control circuitry and outputs atleast one signal to the control circuitry upon sensing the sheet 372.Upon receiving the output signal from the sensor 420, the controlcircuitry operates to stop further movement of sheet 372 in the seconddirection when it has reached the position shown in FIG. 33.

The next step in the operation of the example stack assembly mechanismis represented in FIG. 34. A further sheet 380 from the second cassette390 is moved toward the opening 414 by the sheet dispenser mechanism396. As sheet 380 moves toward the opening 414, the control circuitryoperates to begin moving sheet 372 in the first direction along path 416toward the opening 414. The control circuitry coordinates the operationof the drives for the various components so that sheet 372 and sheet 380intersect each other in coordinated relation. As a result, sheets 372and 380 engage in aligned, abutting relation so as to form a stack asthe sheet 380 pass through the opening 414 and sheet 372 moves over theopening 414.

As shown in FIG. 35, once sheets 372 and 380 have passed the opening 414in the first direction, they are in a stack generally indicated 422. Asschematically indicated in FIG. 35, in this mode of operation, sensor418 is operative to sense passage of the stack 422 past the opening 414of the second cassette 390 and the control circuitry is operative tostop movement of the stack 422 in the first direction in response tosignals from the sensor 418. After sheets 372 and 380 have combined toform stack 422, additional sheets can be added to the stack 422. This isaccomplished by moving the stack 422 in the second direction similar tothat which was done with sheet 372 previously, as represented in FIG.33. If the stack 422 is complete, the stack 422 is moved in the firstdirection to be delivered to the user.

As can be appreciated, a stack of sheets can be built by including oneor more sheets from cassette 390 in a stack, and then including one ormore sheets from cassette 386 in the same stack (or vice versa). This isdone by repeatedly moving the sheets in the transport past the openingassociated with a respective picker mechanism, each time adding a noteto the stack in aligned relation. In the example embodiment sheets aremoved in a first direction to add a sheet, and then the stack directionis reversed to place the stack in a position were a sheet can be addedby movement of the stack past the picker mechanism opening again in thefirst direction. Of course it should be understood that in alternativeembodiments sheets can be added to the stack when a stack is moved pastthe opening in either direction. In the example embodiments the controlcircuitry is operative to coordinate operation of the transport and thepicking mechanisms to produce a uniform stack of notes or other sheetsto provide to a machine user. Further, it should be understood thatwhile the example embodiment includes two cassettes holding notes, and adivert bin, other embodiments can include other or different structures.This may include, for example, additional cassettes holding other oradditional denominations of notes each with an associated pickermechanism. Other types of sheets can also be stored in the automatedbanking machine or generated within the machine and included in thestack.

Other embodiments can include additional features. For example each notethat is picked can be moved past one or more sensors that senseproperties of the note. This might include sensors of the typesdiscussed in the incorporated disclosures which can be used to determinethe denomination and'/or validity of a note or other document. Thus, forexample, in such embodiments, the denomination and/or validity of eachpicked note can be determined by moving the note past one or moreappropriate sensors before the note is integrated into the stack orotherwise given to a customer. In this way it can be better assured thatnotes provided from the machine are genuine and correspond to what theuser requested.

A presenter mechanism of example embodiments can include additionalbelts that transport the stack away from where it is assembled andextend the stack 422 out of the machine to a user so that they can takeit. One or more sensors can be positioned along the transport path andsignals therefrom used to sense the stack and cause it to be moved intoa position in which it can be taken by a user. One or more sensors canalso sense the taking of the stack. Further, if the user does not takethe presented stack 422 of sheets, the entire stack 422 can beretracted. In particular, by reversing the direction of the belts 308,310, and 312, the stack 422 can be moved along the transport 300, pastthe sheet pickers 396, and into the divert bin 394. Thus, if a userfails to take the stack 422 of sheets within a certain time after theyare presented, the machine can retract the stack 422, as stated above,and store the sheets in the stack 422 securely within the machine. Thedivert bin 394 is also used to receive sheets where there may be aproblem creating the stack 422. For example, if the picker mechanism 396picks a double sheet that cannot be separated through normal operationof the device, the machine can operate to take the entire stack 422 thathas the problem and move the stack 422 into the divert bin 394.Thereafter, the machine can operate to build another stack 422 topresent to the machine user.

In some embodiments, alternative sheet engaging assemblies may be used.In some embodiments, alternative structures that are configured toreduce the friction between a stack of sheets and the bearings can beused. For example, ball bearings can be mounted so as to extend inopenings in support bodies. In another example, the low frictionstructures can take the form of a stationary element such as aprojection with low friction material on its engaging surface thatengages the sheets. In a further example, the support bodies can includecompressed air jet outlets that enable low friction movement of sheetsrelative thereto.

In another example embodiment as depicted in FIG. 37, a sheet handlingmechanism includes features that handle sheets rejected by a currencyvalidator 424. In this example embodiment, the sheet handling mechanismincludes a sheet inlet opening 426 that extends through the housing ofthe automated transaction machine (e.g., ATM). In the exampleembodiment, the sheet inlet opening 426 is configured to enable sheetsto be accepted into the machine from users.

Positioned adjacent the opening 426 is the currency validator 424 thatis used to analyze properties of the sheets and determine whether thesheets are valid. One example of such a currency validator ismanufactured by Japan Cash Machines. This validator has the capabilityto accept a stack of currency notes and unstack them one at a time. Inanother example, a currency validator employing the principles describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,413 which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety, can be used for purposes of determining whether sheetshave one or more property associated with valid notes. The at least oneprocessor can be operative to determine whether notes received arelikely valid, invalid and/or of suspect authenticity.

Other devices can be included which sense for other properties or datawhich can be used to analyze sheets for properties that are associatedwith authenticity. Based on determining whether sheets have at least oneproperty, an example automated banking machine is operative to store,return or otherwise process notes in a manner that is later described.Of course it should be understood that some of the principles can beused by the at least one processor to make a determination if at leastone property associated with notes analyzed through devices in themachine, have one or more properties that suggest that they are valid orinvalid notes. Similarly, analysis devices in a machine can be used toassess validity of other types of sheets.

The sheet handling mechanism further includes a first transport path 428and a second transport path 430 that intersects the first transport path428 at an intersection 432. The first transport path 428 receivesindividual sheets that have been separated from a stack 433 of sheetsthrough operation of the validator 424. Each of the individual sheets ismoved in the downstream direction as depicted by arrow A in the firsttransport path 428 through operation of a sheet transport 434.

The sheet transport 434 includes a plurality of first belts 436journaled on spaced first rolls 438, 440. The sheet transport 434 alsoincludes a plurality of second belts 442 journaled on spaced secondrolls 444, 446 and located downstream from the first belts 436. Thesheet transport further includes a plurality of third belts 448journaled on spaced third rolls 450, 452, 454 and located downstreamfrom the second belts 442. One or more of a respective first, second,and third roll can function as a drive roll that operates to move arespective first, second, and third belt. Furthermore, the first rolls438, 440, second rolls 444, 446, and third rolls 450, 452, 454 can eachbe driven by one or more independent respective reversible drives 453,455, 457 under control of the control circuitry 44. The controlcircuitry 44 preferably includes at least one processor in operativeconnection with at least one memory or data store, and is operative tocarry out programmed instructions based on data stored in the memory andsensed conditions detected through operation of various sensors. Thecontrol circuitry in the example embodiment operates the machine tocarry out the operations hereinafter described.

The belts 436, 442, and 448 engage the sheets and move them along thefirst transport path 428. The transport 434 of the example embodiment isoperative to move sheets away from the sheet opening 426. It should beunderstood that although a single transport of a belt type is shown, inother embodiments other numbers and types of transports can be employedfor moving sheets, such as rollers, tracks or compressed air. In someembodiments it may be desirable to use a sheet transport that movessheets in sandwiched relation between a driving member such as a roll orbelt flight, and a follower member that extends on an opposed side ofthe sheet from the driving member. The follower member can be operativeto assure engagement of the sheet with the driving member to assuresheet movement therewith. In some embodiments, movable rolls or beltscan operate as suitable follower members. For example, follower members439 can extend on an opposed side of the first belts 436. Followermembers 445 can extend on an opposed side of the second belts 442, andfollower members 451 can extend on an oppose side of the third belts448.

The example sheet transport 434 further includes a gravity gate 456located on the first transport path 428 adjacent to the intersection 432on the upstream side. The gravity gate 456 is pivotally mounted insupporting connection with the machine and hangs freely in an initialposition. The gravity gate 456 is allowed to pivot downstream from itsinitial position, but is prevented from pivoting upstream from theinitial position by a stop member 459 (and belt 448). With thisconfiguration, the gravity gate 456 allows a sheet or stack of sheetstraveling downstream to pass through the pivoted gate but prevents thesheet or stack of sheets from moving back upstream through the gate 456into the first transport path 428. However, the gravity gate 456 ismounted in a manner such that its initial position relative to theintersection 432 provides enough space to allow a sheet or stack ofsheets 484 to move upstream (in reverse) to pass before the gate 456into the second transport path 430. The gravity gate is example. Inother embodiments the gate can be powered or other types of sheetdirecting devices can be used.

A diverter gate 458 is positioned in the first transport path 428downstream of the intersection 432. This diverter gate 458 is pivotallyselectively movable between first and second positions by a drive orother suitable movement device. When the diverter gate 458 is in thefirst position as shown in FIG. 37, the diverter gate 458 directs thesheet or stack of sheets to an outlet opening 460 in the housing of themachine to be presented to the customer. In an operative embodiment thisoutlet opening 460 is generally located directly below the inlet opening426 adjacent the validator 424 to which the sheets have been presentedby the user.

When the diverter gate 458 is in the second position, the diverter gate458 operates to direct the sheet or stack of sheets to a holdingcassette 462 such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.Alternatively, the sheet or stack of sheets can be directed into othertypes of cassettes instead of the holding cassette. For example, thesheet or stack of sheets can be directed into a recycling cassette, oralternatively, a gravity cassette that holds the sheets in loose form.Of course these approaches are examples.

The second transport path 430 includes transport 464. The example sheettransport 464 includes a plurality of belts 466 journaled on spacedrolls 468, 470 and 454. The sheet transport 464 can include a pluralityof belts 472 journaled on spaced rolls 474, 476 located opposite thebelts 466 and rolls 468 and 454. The rolls 468, 470, 454 operate to movethe belts 466, and rolls 474, 476 operate to move belts 472. The rolls468, 470, 454 of the sheet transport 464 are driven by one or moreindependent reversible drives 461 under control of the control circuitry44. The rolls 474, 476 of the sheet transport 464 are driven by one ormore independent reversible drives 463 under control of the controlcircuitry 44.

In operation, a sheet or a stack of sheets is positioned on the secondtransport path 430 and moved by the transport 464 to a position near theintersection 432. For example, a sheet 478 can be dispensed by a sheetdispensing device, sheet producing device, or is otherwise in the path,and is engaged by the belts 466 and 472 of the transport 464 and movedtoward the intersection 432 by the transport 464. The sheet 478 is alsosensed by a sensor 480 in the second transport path 430. Sensor 480 isin operative connection with the control circuitry. The controlcircuitry operates to accurately coordinate the movement of the sheet478 in engagement with the belts 466, 472.

A user deposits a sheet 482 in the opening 426 of the machine. The sheet482 passes through the validator 424 and is moved along the firsttransport path 428 by the transport 434. The sheet 482 is then movedpast the gravity gate 456 and the intersection 432 where the sheet 482is moved into alignment with the sheet 478 on the second transport path430 to form a stack 484 as shown by the phantom lines at location C onthe first transport. A sensor 485 senses the sheet 482 at this positionand outputs a signal to the control circuitry. Upon receipt of thissignal, the control circuitry operates the transport 434 to stop themovement of the stack 484 of sheets. Alternatively, instead of using thesheet sensor, the drives 453, 455, 457 of the transport 434 and thedrives 461, 463 of the transport 464 can be in the form of steppermotors which can be controlled to automatically stop the transport withthe stack at a desired location. If more sheets are to be stacked on thestack 484, then movement of the stack 484 can be reversed by the controlcircuitry, and the stack moved in the direction B back on the secondtransport path 430 to a location indicated by D. The stack 484 can thenbe moved by the transport 464 to a position near intersection 432 untilthe next sheet from the first transport path 428 arrives.

In the example embodiment, if the sheet 482 in the stack 484 or anyother sheet in the stack 484 passing through the validator 424 isdetermined to be invalid by the validator 424 or if the customer cancelsthe transaction by providing one or more inputs to the machine, theexample control circuitry operates to cause the diverter gate 458 to bein the first position to direct the stack 484 of sheets out through theopening 460 in the housing. The stack 484 is moved out through theopening 460, as depicted by the phantom lines, and returned to the user.

Alternatively, if the sheet 482 and all of the other sheets in the stack484 that passed through the validator are determined by the validator424 to be valid, control circuitry operates the diverter gate 458 to bein the second position to direct the stack 484 of sheets downward intothe holding cassette 462. The stack 484 of sheets is then moved downwardto the holding cassette as depicted by the phantom lines.

In another example embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 38, a note handlingmechanism can instead return an individual invalid sheet or currencynote to the machine user rather than return the entire stack. In thisexample embodiment, the sheet handling mechanism includes a sheetopening 486 that extends through the housing of the automatedtransaction machine (e.g., ATM). In the example embodiment, the sheetopening 486 is configured to enable the sheets to be providedtherethrough into the machine from machine users (customers).

This note handling mechanism is also suitable for automated transactionmachines (e.g., ATMs) that are designed to not include a separate returnopening for a stack of sheets (e.g., currency bills) being returned tothe customer if a sheet is determined to be invalid. As a result, thesheet opening 486 can be used as an inlet/outlet opening for asheet/stack.

Positioned adjacent the opening 486 is a currency validator 488 that isused to analyze properties of the sheets and determine whether thesheets are valid. One example of such a currency validator ismanufactured by Japan Cash Machines. This validator has the capabilityto accept a stack of sheets and unstack them. In another example, acurrency validator employing the principles described in U.S. Pat. No.5,923,413 which is incorporated herein by reference, can be used forpurposes of determining whether sheets have one or more propertyassociated with valid sheets. The at least one processor can beoperative to determine whether notes received are likely valid, invalidand/or of suspect authenticity.

Other devices can be included which sense for other properties or datawhich can be used to analyze sheets for properties that are associatedwith authenticity. Based on determining whether sheets have at least oneproperty, the example automated transaction machine is operative tostore, return, or otherwise process notes in a manner that is laterdescribed. Of course it should be understood that some of the principlescan be used by the at least one processor to make a determination if atleast one property associated with notes analyzed through devices in themachine, have one or more properties that suggest that they are valid orinvalid notes. Similar analysis devices in a machine can be used toassess validity of other types of sheets.

The example sheet handling mechanism further includes a first transportpath 490 and a second transport path 492 that intersects the firsttransport path 490 at an intersection 494. The first transport path 490receives individual sheets from the validator 488 that have beenseparated from a stack 489 of sheets. Each of the individual sheets canbe moved in the downstream direction as depicted by arrow A and theupstream direction as indicated by arrow B along the first transportpath 490 through operation of a sheet transport 496, such as a currencynote transporter.

The sheet transporter 496 includes a plurality of first belts 498journaled on spaced first rolls 500, 502. The sheet transport 496 alsoincludes a plurality of second belts 504 journaled on spaced secondrolls 506, 508 and located downstream from the first belts 498. Thesheet transport 496 further includes a plurality of third belts 512journaled on spaced third rolls 514, 516, and 518 and located downstreamfrom the second belts 504. The rolls operate to move the belts. Thefirst rolls 500, 502, second rolls 506, 508, and third rolls 514, 516,518 are each driven by one or more independent respective reversibledrives 510, 511, 513 under control of control circuitry 44. The controlcircuitry 44 preferably includes at least one processor in operativeconnection with at least one memory or data store, and is operative tocarry out programmed instructions based on data stored in the memory andsignals from various sensors. The control circuitry in the exampleembodiment operates the machine to carry out the operations hereinafterdescribed.

The belts 498, 504, 512 engage the sheets and move them along the firsttransport path 490. The first transport path 490 can include the routefrom the opening 486 to the location C.

The transport 496 of the example embodiment is operative to move sheetsaway from the sheet opening 486. It should be understood that although asingle transport of a belt type can be used, in other embodiments otheramounts and types of transports can be employed for moving sheets. Thesecan include rollers, balls, or even jets of compressed fluid (e.g.,air).

In some embodiments it may be desirable to use a sheet transport thatmove sheets in sandwiched relation between a driving member such as aroll or belt flight, and a follower member that extends on an opposedside of the sheet from the driving member. The follower member can beoperative to assure engagement of the sheet with the driving member toassure sheet movement therewith. In some embodiments movable rolls orbelts can operate as suitable follower (driven) members. For example,follower members can be similar to a previously discussed rollerassembly 314 comprising an idler roller 316 mounted in a support body318. In an example arrangement as shown in FIG. 38, follower members 501are positioned along the transport path at an opposed (opposite) side ofthe path relative to the first belts 498, follower members 507 extend(are positioned) on an opposite side of the second belts 504, andfollower members 515 extend opposed of the third belts 512.

The example sheet transport 496 further includes a gravity gate 520located adjacent the first transport path 490 adjacent to theintersection 494 on the upstream side. The example gravity gate 520 ispivotally mounted to the machine and hangs freely in an initialposition. The gravity gate 520 is allowed to pivot downstream from itsinitial position, but is prevented from pivoting upstream from theinitial position by a stop member 522. With this configuration, thegravity gate 520 allows a sheet or stack of sheets traveling downstreamto pass through the gravity gate 520 but prevents the sheet or stack ofsheets from moving back upstream through the gravity gate 520 into thefirst transport path 490. However, the gravity gate 520 is mounted in amanner such that its initial (closed) position relative to theintersection 432 provides enough space to allow a sheet or stack ofsheets 546 to move upstream (in reverse) to pass before the gate 520into the second transport path 492. Again, use of a gravity gate isexample, and in other embodiments other mechanisms or devices fordirecting and/or guiding sheets can be used.

The second transport path 492 includes a transport 524. The sheettransport 524 includes a plurality of belts 526 journaled on spacedrolls 528, 530, 518. The sheet transport can include a plurality ofbelts 532 journaled on spaced rolls 534, 536 located opposite the belts526 and rolls 518, 528. The rolls 528, 530, 518 operate to move thebelts 526 and the rolls 534, 536 operate to move the belts 532. Therolls of the sheet transport 524 are driven by one or more independentreversible drives (not shown) under control of the control circuitry 44.The rolls 518, 528, and 530 of the sheet transport 524 are driven by oneor more independent reversible drives 529 under control of the controlcircuitry 44. The rolls 474, 476 of the sheet transport 464 are drivenby one or more independent reversible drives 535 under control of thecontrol circuitry 44. One or more sheet sensors 538 can be provided atthe intersection to sense whether the sheet is at or near theintersection.

In an example operation, a sheet or a stack of sheets is positioned onthe second transport path 492 and moved by the transport 524 in aposition near the intersection 494. For example, a sheet 540 can bedispensed by one of the sheet dispensers, sheet producing devices, or isotherwise in the path, and is engaged by the belts 526, 532 of thetransport 524 and moved toward the intersection 494 by the transport524. Sheet 540 is also sensed by a sensor 542 in the transport path 492.Sensor 542 is in operative connection with the control circuitry. Thecontrol circuitry 44 operates to accurately coordinate the movement ofthe sheet 540 in engagement with the belts 526, 532. As previouslydiscussed, the control circuitry 44 can include at least one computerwith programming that controls operation of the components of thetransport 524.

A machine user deposits a sheet 544 in the opening 486. The sheet 544passes through the validator 488 and is moved along the first transportpath 490 by the transport 496. This sheet 544 passes through thevalidator 488 and is moved into partial engagement of the sheet 540 asshown in FIG. 38 in which a leading edge 543 of the sheet 544 is inengagement with the sheet 540 at the intersection 494. The trailing edge545 of the sheet 544 is still in the first transport path 490. Thesensor 538 senses the sheet 544 at this position and outputs a signal tothe control circuitry. Upon receipt of this signal, the controlcircuitry operates the transport 496 to stop the movement of the sheet544 until the validator 488 operates to determine whether or not thesheet 544 is valid. Alternatively, instead of using the sheet sensor538, the drives of the transports can be in the form of stepper motorswhich can be automatically controlled to stop the transport 496 when theleading edge 543 of the sheet 544 is in engagement with the sheet 540 atthe intersection 494.

If the validator 488 determines that the sheet 544 is valid, the controlcircuitry, responsive at least in part to one or more signals from thevalidator 488, is operated to resume the stacking operation. Inparticular, the control circuitry operates to begin moving the sheet 544again in the downstream direction along the first transport path 490.The sheet 544 is then moved past the gravity gate 520 and theintersection 494 where it is aligned with the sheet 540 on the secondtransport path 492. The control circuitry coordinates the operation ofthe drives for the various components so that the sheet 540 and thesheet 544 pass through the intersection 494 in a coordinated relation.As a result, sheets 540 and 544 engage in aligned, abutting relation soas to form a stack 546, as shown in phantom lines, as the sheets movethrough the intersection 494 to a location C on the first transport path490. A sensor 548 senses the stack 546 of sheets at this position andoutputs a signal to the control circuitry. Upon receipt of this signal,the control circuitry operates the transport 496 to stop the movement ofthe stack 546 of sheets. If more sheets are to be stacked on the stack546, the movement of the stack can then be reversed by the controlcircuitry and moved as directed by the gate 520 onto the secondtransport path 492 to a location indicated by D. The stack can then bemoved by the transport 524 and placed at the same position near theintersection 494 until the next sheet from the first transport path 490should arrive.

Alternatively, in the example embodiment, if the validator 488determines that the sheet 544 is invalid, the control circuitry operatesthe drives and other components of the machine to move the sheet 544upstream away from the intersection 494 in the direction of arrow B. Thesheet 544 is moved back along the first transport path 490 and throughthe validator 488 until it is returned to the user through the opening486.

In this example embodiment, because the validator 488 does not determinewhether or not the sheet 544 deposited by the user is valid until afterthe sheet has passed through the validator 488, parking the sheet in theposition before it is fully integrated in the stack and waiting untilthe determination is complete, enables the individual sheet be returnedback to user if it is invalid. In this way, the invalid sheet is neverfully integrated in the stack and can be returned separately. Thus theentire stack need not be returned to the user. This feature can speedtransactions involving depositing and/or dispensing sheets, because itfacilitates the handling of invalid sheets. This approach can alsoincrease the speed of being able to deal with sheets generally, sincethe sheets can be stacked and the next sheet moved through the validatorto the parked position more quickly.

In alternative example embodiments, a currency validator can also beused in an automated transaction machine (e.g., ATM) which onlydispenses currency notes. That is, a dispense-only machine that does notaccept notes from customers. The currency validator can be arranged tooperate to validate notes during a cash dispense operation. This wouldensure that the customer received valid notes. Alternatively, thecurrency validator can be arranged to operate to validate notes soonafter they have been loaded into the machine by an authorizedperson/entity. That is, the validator could verify all newly loadednotes before initiation of any cash dispense operation involving thenewly loaded notes. For example, if bank employee loaded a counterfeitor suspect note into the machine during a cash loading procedure, thenthe machine would detect the invalid note. Furthermore, the validatorcould be programmed to both validate newly loaded notes (before they arerequested in a cash withdrawal transaction) and then again validate the(same) notes that are to be dispensed during the cash withdrawaltransaction. Notes determined to be invalid would be appropriatelystored in the machine, in a manner as previously discussed.

As previously discussed, an example currency cassette (or canister)includes indicia or other data that indicates the type (e.g.,denomination) and/or properties (e.g., total number, value, etc.) ofcurrency notes held therein. The indicia data may be a code that isrepresented on the cassette (e.g., a barcode) or programmed (RFID tags,NFC chips, etc.) into the cassette.

Cassette indicia can be read by a machine's reader device during (orafter) installation of the cassette into the automated banking machine.For example, the reader may be a barcode reader. The reader may also bea contactless reader such as a radio frequency identification (RFID)reader, a near field contact (NFC) reader, infrared (IR), or a wirelesscommunication port. Thus, the machine memory stores informationregarding the expected denomination of notes in a particular cassette.Examples of noncontact and/or wireless manners of communicatingidentifying indicia are discussed in U.S. application Ser. No.13/487,501 filed Jun. 4, 2012 and Ser. No. 13/555,235 filed Jul. 23,2012.

All notes in a cassette are typically of the same denomination (e.g.,$20 bills). However, difference may occur with regard to the truedenomination of bills in a cassette and the denomination informationbeing relied upon by the automated banking machine. For example, duringa cash loading operation a cassette may have been manually placed in thewrong order (position or location) in the stack of cassettes in themachine. Also, a wrong denomination of bills may have been placed in thecassette. For example, $10 bills may have been placed in a cassettedesignated for $20 bills. Furthermore, the wrong denominationinformation for a cassette may have been stored. That is, cassetteindicia may indicate an incorrect denomination. For example, cassetteindicia may be loaded with wrong data or the indicia may have beenmodified (damaged) during transport. Additionally, an automated bankingmachine's reader may misread cassette indicia. For example, the reader(or other components associated therewith) may be faulty (or degradingin their operational ability). As can be seen, any of these factors canresult in an automated banking machine performing an improper/inaccuratecash dispense.

As previously discussed with regard to an example embodiment, anautomated banking machine uses a note validator to verify all newlyloaded notes. That is, newly loaded notes in a cassette are verified(with regard to being an unacceptable note, a suspect note, acounterfeit note, a correct denomination note, etc.) before initiationof any cash dispense operation involving these newly loaded notes. Thus,newly loaded notes are checked whether they correspond to the (type andproperty) indicia read from their cassette. As previously discussed,notes can additionally be validated (revalidated) during the cashdispense operation. This revalidation (during a cash dispense operation)includes determining the denomination of each particular picked notebefore the particular note is given to the customer. That is, for (atleast) a second time a note's denomination can be compared to thedenomination indicated by the cassette indicia. Thus, a note'sdenomination can be (at least) twice verified/validated (with respect tothe note's description indicia included with the currency cassette.

Both verifications of correct denomination can involve comparing thedenomination determined (read) from the cassette's indicia to thedenomination determined from sensing (reading) the note. The firstdenomination check can occur at a time when the note is first receivedby the machine. For example, this may occur in a cash loading operation,a cassette loading operation, a cash receiving transaction (for a cashrecycling machine), etc. The second denomination check can occur at atime when the note is being removed from the machine. For example, thismay occur in a transaction that includes a cash dispense to a customer(e.g., a cash withdrawal transaction) or in a cassette removal operationin which the cassette is replaced with a fully loaded cassette. Therevalidation of a currency note may also include a new (second)receiving (reading) of indicia from the note's cassette.

As can be seen, the example embodiments provide for use of a note(currency bill) detector/validator for outgoing dispensed notes. Thenote detector is used to determine if notes that are being dispensed arethe correct denomination. Furthermore, the note detector/reader can beused to determine/verify that the read denomination of a particular notethat was taken from a particular cassette corresponds to (matches) thedenomination code that was read from the particular cassette.

In an example embodiment the machine is programmed to shutdown if thedenomination that is detected/read from a note (as detected based onsensors and a processor) differs from the denomination indicated by thecassette. For example, cassette indicia may indicate that it holds notesof the $20 denomination, but it actually only holds $10 notes. If amachine user requested $100 then the user may only receive $50, but adispense of $100 gets associated with the user's account.

In an example embodiment, if the machine has an improperly labeledcassette, then the machine will detect the error and stop operating atthe earliest opportunity. The machine can also notify (by sending atleast message) servicing personnel and/or the financial institution ofthe discovered discrepancy.

Hence, the machine is programmed to avert the dispense of an impropercash amount to a customer. Thus, the novel system benefits the machineuser by preventing a cash dispense where a customer would only receive$50 instead of the expected $100. The novel system likewise benefits thefinancial institution affiliated with the machine by saving it both timeand money needed to resolve issues of inaccurate cash dispenses. As canbe appreciated, the example system provides a built-in security featurethat warns the financial institution of cash dispensing anomaliesregarding their automated banking machine.

In a further example embodiment the machine, upon detecting the error inthe cassette indicia, is able to compensate for the error by modifyingmachine memory to reflect the true denomination of the particularcassette. This compensation may also include the implementation ofadditional denomination checks (verifications) on the notes taken fromthat particular cassette (which may be placed on an alert status).

In review, the example automated banking machine system can (during acash dispense transaction) determine the denomination of notes that arebeing dispensed. That is, these notes have been taken from one or morecurrency cassettes (or other storage area) but have not yet beendispensed during the cash dispense transaction (e.g., cash withdrawaltransaction, check cashing transaction, etc). The determineddenomination of a taken note is compared against the denominationindicated by the cassette (from which it was taken). That is, withregard to a particular note, a machine-determined denomination of theparticular note is compared with the cassette-indicated denomination ofthe particular note. Upon denomination correspondence, the note meetsthe requirements to be dispensed in the note dispense transaction.

The example automated banking machine system can operate to verifywhether a note corresponds to the note denomination indicated by thecassette from which the note was taken. In additional embodiments thesystem can perform a pre-dispense check of all notes in cassettes thatwere newly received into the machine. That is, the denominationverification process can occur during a cash dispense transaction orprior to a user request for a cash dispense transaction. The notedenomination verification check can be carried out multiple times,including on newly installed cassettes and (thereafter) during each cashdispense transaction. Thus, the example arrangement allows for multiplechecks (verifications) of a currency note's denomination.

An example embodiment includes the addition of a replaceable securitymodule for use in a cash dispenser. This individual security module canoperate as a dispensed-amount verifier (DAV) module. An example notedenomination determining (or analysis) module includes at least onemodule processor, at least one data store (memory), at least one notedata reader (e.g., a scanner), and/or a note analyzer. The note analyzeris operable to analyze currency note data read by the at least one notedata reader. The note analyzer can include a processor. The module isoperable to analyze currency notes, including analysis regarding notedenomination. That is, the module is programmed to operate to determinethe denomination (value) of a currency note. The module can operate toverify whether the denomination of a note taken (e.g., during a usersession, during a cash dispense transaction, etc.) from any givencurrency cassette (located in the machine) matches the expected notedenomination indicated by that given cassette.

In the example embodiment the note denomination determining modulecomprises a hardware module that operates to scan bills as they aredispensed (picked) from a cassette. For example, the security module maybe located at an internal bill stacker. The stacker can produce a stackthat includes bills of different denominations. A completed stack canthen be presented to a machine user.

As previously discussed, a machine computer (or control circuitry) canobtain respective denomination data on every newly installed respectivecassette. The machine computer can dictate the number of bills ofspecific denominations that are to be included in the stack, and whichcassettes are to provide which bills. The machine computer can provide abill stacking order. For example, a bill stacking order for a $90 cashdispense transaction may be four consecutive $20 bills taken fromcassette #1 followed by one $10 bill taken from cassette #5, where the$10 bill ends up (as the last bill) on top of the stack. During the cashdispense transaction the note denomination determining module canreceive (and store in memory) the bill stacking order from the machinecomputer. Thus, the module knows for each individual bill received atthe stacker both the bill's expected denomination and the bill's source(cassette). This information allows that module to compare the expecteddenomination of a bill to the module-determined denomination of the samebill. An absence of denomination correspondence can be determined by themodule. Thus, the module, by also knowing which cassette provided thenon corresponding bill, allows for the identification of a particularcurrency cassette which may have bills of an incorrect denomination.

In the example embodiment the note denomination module uses opticalcharacter recognition (OCR) technology in reading and identifying(determining) the denomination of bills as they arrive at the stacker.Other bill reading techniques can be used in determining a bill'sdenomination. It should be understood that an entire side of a currencynote need not be read by the module in order for the module to obtainthe note data necessary to determine the note's denomination. That is,an example module is able to make a determination regarding a note'sdenomination based on data obtained only from a portion of the note.

If the module determines that a bill's denomination does not match(correspond to) the expected (cassette's) denomination of the bill, itcan notify the cash dispenser (e.g., dispenser firmware) that there isan anomaly. A processor associated with the cash dispenser (or themachine) can then cause all dispense operations to cease. For example,the cash dispenser's shutter or a cash presenter gate can be set not toopen. The customer would be notified that the cash dispense transactioncan not be completed. The financial institution (e.g., a bank branch)would be made aware of the issue so that appropriate action could betaken. Thus, any denomination mismatch detected by the module can resultin error detection action, including an error report in the form of oneor more machine error signals.

In another embodiment the note analysis module only receives thedenomination stacking order from the machine computer (or controlcircuitry), and does not receive information on which cassettes are toprovide which bills. For example, in a cash dispense transaction thestacking order for $50 may be two consecutive $20 bills followed by one$10 bill. Again, the module knows what the denomination of eachindividual bill received at the stacker is expected to be. Thisinformation allows the module to compare the determined denomination ofa bill to the expected denomination of the same bill. If the comparisondoes not result in a match, then the module can indicate to the machinecomputer (or other component) that a denomination error was detected.The machine computer (or control circuitry) can then cause the machineto take preventative action and inform the respective authorities of theerror.

As shown in the Figures, there are many sheet/stack path positions wherea security module may be located so that it can analyze and determine(or ascertain) the denomination of a currency note before that note isprovided to a machine user. As previously discussed, the module (or ascanner thereof) may be located adjacent to (or be a part of) a stackassembly mechanism (e.g., a note stacker). Different automated bankingmachines can have different locations where notes are stacked before thecompleted stack is presented to a machine user in a cash dispenseoperation. A note stacker having note sensors 134, 138, and 142 hasalready been discussed. The security module may be placed near any ofthese sensors 134, 138, and 142. An imaging device 72 has also beendiscussed. The security module may be a part of the imaging device 72,or placed next to the sheet path that leads in/out of the imagingdevice. A further sensor 162 has been discussed. This sensor 162 may bepart of a validation device that can determine note denomination. Thesecurity module may be a part of this validation device, or placedadjacent thereto.

FIGS. 39-42 show example embodiments of security modules, and examplesof different positions where a security module can be located in anautomated banking machine. As previously discussed, each module is ableto determine whether a note's actual denomination (as determined by themodule) corresponds to (matches) the expected denomination of the note(where the expected denomination was obtained from data provided by thecassette).

FIG. 39 shows a note analysis module 550 that is located adjacent to thetransport path 42. The module 550 is positioned to evaluate thedenomination of the picked note 140 before the note is added (along withnote 132) to the stack.

FIG. 40 shows a note analysis module 552 that is located adjacent to thetransport section 100. The module 552 is positioned to determine thedenomination of note 140 after the note was added to the stack 144. Thenotes's denomination is checked while the note still remains in thestack 144. The module 552 includes data-obtaining devices (e.g.,readers, scanners) 554, 556.

FIG. 41 shows a module 558 that is positioned to analyze a note 372 thatwas picked by the picking member 398 but before the note is fully movedinto the sheet transport 300. The module 558 is located between(intermediate) the picking member 398 and the transport 300. Thus, themodule 558 is adjacent both the picking member 398 and the transportpath.

FIG. 42 shows a note analysis module 560 positioned adjacent a portionof the transport path 416, which portion is near the divert bin 394. Themodule 560 can be located on either side of the path 416. The module mayalso be in the path 416, with a note passing through the module as thenote moves in the path. As the note 372 moves (downward) into the noteposition shown in the Figure, the module 560 is operable to read datafrom the note 372. From this read data the module 560 can determine thenote's denomination. Additionally, the module 560 is also operable toread the note data as the note 372 is being moved (upward) from the noteposition shown in the Figure. Thus, the module can perform a doublereview of the same note.

The note analysis module 560 includes a recorder (e.g., reader, scanner,image capturing device, etc.) 562, at least one processor 564, andmemory (e.g., a data store) 566. The module 560 can comprise a camera(e.g., a video camera), where the processor 564 is operable to determinewhether data captured by the camera corresponds to the particulardenomination of the cassette (e.g., cassette 386 or 390) from which thenote was taken. Alternatively, the processor 564 may first try torecognize the denomination of the note 372, then compare the recognizeddenomination to the denomination indicated by the note's sourcecassette. If the processor cannot recognize a note's denomination, thenthat note can be made inaccessible to a customer. For example, anunrecognizable note may be moved to and then stored in an invalid(divert, suspect, or reject) note storage bin located in the machine.

FIG. 42 also shows a module 570 positioned inside the currency cassette390. The module 570 is operable to determine the denomination of aleading (front) note 572 in the stack 392. The determination can bebased on note data that is obtained (read) from only a portion (e.g., atop half) of the facing side 574 of the top note 572.

Again, the denomination of a currency note can be verified before thatnote is added to a stack which is given to a customer. However, in otherembodiments the currency note can be verified after the note was addedto a stack. That is, a stack can be completed before the denomination ofeach currency note therein is verified. For example, a completed stackcan be disassembled, the notes removed therefrom then verified, thenotes then reassembled into a stack, and then the reassembled stackpresented to the customer. Each successive note of the stack may beremoved from the stack in a destack operation, then examined by thesecurity module, and then restacked. In an example, all notes can beexamined before any of the notes are brought together to form a stack.In an alternative example, some notes can be in the process of beingexamined while other (already examined) notes are in the process ofbeing added to the stack being reassembled. That is, a note stack may besimultaneously undergoing both disassembly and reassembly during thedenomination review of the stack notes.

Again, a plurality of currency notes may already be grouped in the formof a stack before the denomination of each note therein is checked.Thus, in a further example embodiment, a note analysis module isoperatively positioned to read the denomination value of each note in astack of notes. The module is programmed to add the detected note valuesto determine a total value for the entire stack. During the cashdispense transaction the module can obtain the total value of the cashdispense from the machine computer (or some other processor). The moduleis programmed to compare the determined stack value to the obtained cashvalue. If the values do not match then the module can cause an outputindicating that at least one note came from a mislabeled currencycassette. Notification (e.g., via a message to personnel) or machineaction (e.g., shutdown) resulting from the detection of a bad note(e.g., a mislabeled denomination) can be performed in a manner aspreviously discussed.

As already discussed, in an example automated banking machine can beshutdown if a note's determined denomination differs from thedenomination indicated by the specific cassette from which the note wastaken. However, in other example embodiments the machine is not(immediately) shutdown. For example, another example machine isprogrammed, upon a determination that a note stack includes one or moreproblem notes, to dump the entire stack into a note reject bin 394. Themachine is further programmed to then try to build another (second)stack that passes the note denomination tests. If all of the notes inthe second stack are denomination acceptable, then the cash dispenseprocess can proceed. Such a situation may occur where one cassette hadonly one bad note.

If all of the notes in the second stack are not denomination acceptable,then there may be a larger problem. Such a situation may occur where onecassette is mislabeled. That is, the cassette may contain only $10 notesbut be labeled as containing $20 notes. The situation may require thatother denomination related checks and tests be undertaken by the machinebefore the machine is actually shutdown. That is, the machine can beprogrammed to carry out other attempts/procedures (e.g., bypassing aproblem cassette) to ensure that accurate cash dispense transactions canbe conducted before (the last resort of) shutting down the machine.

As previously discussed, in some embodiments a bad note can be detected(during a cash dispense operation) before it is added to a note stack.In such a situation the machine programming can cause the bad note to bedumped into the note reject bin 394 before it is added to the stack. Themachine can then attempt to replace the discarded note with another notethat meets the proper note denomination. That is, the machine can try toprovide the stack with an acceptable note. If unsuccessful, then themachine can perform other procedures/steps to try to maintain theability to conduct cash dispenses (as already discussed) before beingshutdown.

Similarly, a bad note may be detected (as previously discussed) after itwas already added to a note stack. Likewise, machine programming cancause the bad note to be stored in the note reject bin 394. The machinecan then try to provide the stack with a properly denominated note.

In alternative example embodiments, an automated banking machine can beprogrammed to bypass one or more problem cassettes in order to maintainan ability to carry out cash dispense transactions. These cash dispenseoperations may be provided on a reduced or limited basis.

For example, a customer may request a cash withdrawal in the amount of$110. A machine processor recently concludes (e.g., after a denominationdetection by a module, etc.) that a currency cassette which indicated$10 bills now only contains $20 bills. No other cassette is availablefor dispensing $10 notes to the customer. However, there are severalcash cassettes that hold $20 notes. In such a situation the examplemachine programming causes the customer to notified (e.g., via a displayscreen) that the amount requested cannot be provided. However, theprogramming also causes the customer to be offered (e.g., via thedisplay screen) a choice of accepting a larger or smaller cashwithdrawal amount. The programming can be part of an alternative cashwithdrawal (software) application that a machine processor is configuredto run when the machine's current circumstances and current capabilitiesare met (determined).

The machine processor programming determines the (two) amounts to offerthe customer. The offers can be based on the amount requested ($110).For example, the customer may be given the option to choose to withdraweither $100 or $120. The customer is also given the option to cancel thetransaction. If no choice is made within a predetermined time period,then the transaction and user session are canceled.

In other embodiments the customer (machine user) may be given otheramount selection options. For example, based on a machine processordetermining that only $20 bills are currently available for dispensing,the machine may be configured (e.g., programmed) to let the customerselect their own preferred amount that is a multiple of 20. That is, themachine can inform (e.g., via a display device, audio message, etc.) thecustomer that the machine can only dispense $20 bills. The machine canask the customer to provide input that corresponds to a new (different)cash amount that is a factor of twenty.

Furthermore, only one amount may be offered to the customer. Forexample, only the higher amount (e.g., $120) may be offered. Since thehigher amount includes the requested amount, the customer may find thedifferent amount to be more acceptable. Other amounts may be offeredthat are based on prior cash withdrawals that were made (on the currentcustomer account) in recent user sessions.

In another embodiment, a machine may be programmed to automaticallydispense the closest higher amount possible, if the transaction is acash withdrawal transaction. The customer would not be provided with anability to select a different amount. For example, if a machine isunable to dispense a requested cash withdrawal amount of $110, then themachine determines a new amount to dispense. This new amount can bephysically dispensed by the machine. This new amount may need to meetseveral criteria, such as: (1) an amount nearest to the requested amount($110); and (2) an amount greater than the requested amount ($110). Ifonly $20 bills are available for dispensing, then the machine woulddetermine the new amount to be $120. The machine would then requestapproval from the transaction host to dispense the new amount to thecustomer. If approved, then the new amount ($120) would be dispensed tothe customer in carrying out the customer's requested cash withdrawaltransaction. The transaction receipt would indicate that $120 waswithdrawn. The transaction host, after receiving confirmation from themachine that the transaction was completed, would cause the value of thecustomer's account to be reduced by $120. The account would be assessedany necessary fee (e.g., transaction fee).

In review, after a requested cash dispense transaction is approved by afinancial transaction host (computer, server, etc.) then the machineproceeds to obtain the correctly denominated currency notes in carryingout the transaction. Before the obtained notes are given to the customertheir denomination is checked (verified) by the machine. Theverification involves determining the denomination of each obtainednote, and then comparing the determined denomination of the individualnote to that denomination indicated by the currency cassette from whichthat individual note was obtained (picked). In an example embodiment themachine is configured (both structurally and functionally) to cause thecancellation of an approved cash dispense transaction that cannot beperformed by the machine.

If a customer (machine user) who requested the (unavailable) transactionagrees to accept a cash dispense for a different amount (in comparisonto the originally requested amount), then the machine can operate tocause a new (cash withdrawal) transaction request to be initiated. Forexample, a customer who originally requested an amount ($110) thatcannot be fulfilled may then accept a presented (displayed) option towithdraw a different amount ($120). In response to the newly acceptedamount ($120), the machine operates to request from the transaction hostan approval for a cash dispense transaction (on the customer's account)in the amount of $120. This is a request for host approval of a secondtransaction in the same user session. The customer's account informationwas already received from the customer during the request for the $110involving the first cash dispense transaction. Upon host approval forthe second transaction, then the machine carries out the transactionwhich includes dispensing the requested $120.

The machine causes the host approved first transaction (a request for$110) to get canceled. When and how the machine initiates thetransaction cancellation process can vary. In one embodiment a machinecan be programmed to inform the host to cancel the first transactionimmediately after determining that it cannot be carried out at themachine level. In another embodiment a machine can wait until after thecustomer indicates acceptance of a different cash amount before tellingthe host to cancel the first transaction. In a further embodiment amachine can inform the host to cancel the first transaction after theuser session has ended. In yet another embodiment, the machine may nothave to notify or request the host to cancel the unavailable firsttransaction. Rather, the host may automatically cancel the firsttransaction upon not receiving a transaction completion message from themachine within a predetermined time period.

In some embodiments the machine (and host) programming may require thatthe first transaction be canceled before the machine can requestapproval of a second transaction (or before the host will approve asecond transaction). That is, the machine and host relationship mayrequire that a still open host-approved transaction be closed (i.e.,completed or cancelled) before the host will approve another (new)transaction requested by that same machine. In other words, theprogramming may not allow transactions to overlap. In other embodimentssimultaneous transactions involving a particular machine and a host maybe open (ongoing).

For any inconvenience that may have been caused to a customer because ofa machine's inability to carry out a requested cash dispense transaction(e.g., cash withdrawal transaction, check cashing transaction,credit/debit card cash advance transaction, bill exchange transaction,etc.) the machine may be programmed to additionally provide some type ofmonetary value to the affected customer. The monetary value may be inthe form of an item (e.g., a coupon, voucher, discount, etc.) that isdispensed from the machine to the customer. The monetary value may begift/rebate payment (25 cents) made to the customer's account.Alternatively, the monetary value may involve waiving the normaltransaction fee associated with the cash dispense transaction.

A note analysis module can be configured (through hardware, firmware,and/or software programming) to verify the bill denomination for anentire cassette only once. For example, the denomination verificationfor a newly installed cassette may occur during the first dispenseoperation that involves that cassette. That is, if the note analysismodule determines (in carrying out the first dispense operation) thatthe denomination ($20) of bills taken from the cassette correspond tothe denomination data ($20) received by the module for that cassette,then all bills in the cassette are deemed to be of the correctdenomination ($20). As a result, no additional denomination verificationis carried out by the module on any additional bills coming from thatcassette during the remaining period the cassette is in the machine.However, replacement of the cassette would trigger a new denominationverification process for the newly installed cassette.

In an alternative example embodiment, a note analysis module isconfigured to verify bill denomination with regard to a particularcassette on a periodic or predetermined basis. For example, each fifthtime a cassette is used in a cash dispense transaction, a denominationverification may be conducted on the bills taken from the cassette forthe fifth cash dispense.

In still other alternative example embodiments, a note analysis modulecan be configured to verify bill denomination with regard to aparticular cassette on a random basis.

As previously discussed, a single security module can be used. Themodule (or a scanner thereof) may be located adjacent a bill stackerthat can receive notes from several cassettes. However, in otherembodiments a plurality of modules can be used. For example, arespective module may be positioned adjacent the outlet of a respectivecurrency cassette. That is, each respective cassette can have arespective machine module associated therewith. The particular modulecan receive the particular cassette's denomination data from the machinecomputer. Alternatively, the particular module can receive (read) theparticular cassette's denomination data directly from the cassette.Because a module is closely positioned next to its associated cassette,the module can read (scan) a note soon after the note is taken (picked)from the cassette. In other arrangements the module can be a part of thenote picker mechanism.

In still other embodiments the currency cassette can include thesecurity module. That is, the module can be a part of (e.g., inside) acurrency cassette. The module can store in its memory the billdenomination (e.g., $20) of its cassette. For example, note module 570in FIG. 42. The module may be programmed with the denomination data. Themodule can be positioned to scan the note which is the next note to betaken (removed) from the cassette. This next note may be the top note inthe stack. The module can communicate with the machine computer, or alinking processor associated with the machine computer. Thecommunication can be wireless (RF signal, RFID, etc.). If the moduledetects (inside the cassette) a note that does match the cassette'sdesignated denomination (e.g., $20), then it informs the linkingprocessor of the error. The linking processor can notify the machinecomputer, which can function to prevent dispensing operations until theerror issue is resolved.

In some embodiments the machine can accept valid checks throughoperation of a check acceptor/validator and then dispense currency notescorresponding to the value of the check during a check cashingtransaction/operation which includes verification of the denomination ofbills taken from a currency cassette. That is, an example automatedbanking machine is configured (with hardware and software) to checkand/or verify the denomination of currency note just before the note ispresented (made manually accessible) to the customer. The currency notedenomination verification process can be performed by the machine during(as part of) the transaction that was requested by the customer. Inother embodiments a remote computer can control the machine to cause theverification process to be carried out. Also, all data comparing anddetermining involved in the verification process may be performed remotefrom the machine.

Of course it should be understood that these approaches are examples andin other embodiments other approaches can be used. Thus, an automatedbanking machine of the example embodiment achieves at least some of theabove stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the useof prior devices and systems, solves problems, and attains the desirableresults described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations given are by way of examples and the example embodimentsare not limited to the exact details shown or described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means capable ofperforming the recited function, and not mere equivalents of theparticular means described in the foregoing description. The inclusionof an Abstract shall not be deemed to limit the claimed invention to anyof the features described in the Abstract.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods, and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: taking a currency note fromcurrency cassette by a note picker; reading cassette data indicative ofa currency note denomination held by the currency cassette by a cassettedata reader; reading note data for currency notes taken from thecurrency cassette by a note reader during a cash dispense transaction;determining from the note data currency note denominations for thecurrency notes taken from the currency cassette; determining whether acurrency note denomination determined from the note data read by thenote reader differs from the currency note denomination indicated by thecassette data; and causing a discrepancy message to be sent to a remotecomputer responsive at least in part to a determination that thecurrency note denomination determined from the note data read by thenote reader differs from the currency note denomination indicated by thecassette data.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:reading user data by a user data reader to identify a financial accountof a machine user; performing a financial transaction involving thefinancial account; wherein performing the financial transactioncomprises operating a cash dispenser to dispense currency notes to anauthorized user; and wherein performing the financial transactionfurther comprises determining by a computer a relationship between userdata read by the data reader and the financial account.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein reading user data comprises reading, bycard reader, data from a card, and comparing the data read by the cardreader with card information stored in a data store.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein reading user data comprises reading datathrough operation of a biometric reader, and comparing the readbiometric data with biometric information in a data store.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: taking a currency note from asecond currency cassette by a second note picker; reading secondcassette data indicative of a currency note denomination held by thesecond currency cassette by a second cassette data reader; reading notedata for currency notes taken from the second currency cassette by anote reader during a cash dispense transaction; determining from thenote data currency note denominations for the currency notes taken fromthe second currency cassette; determining whether a currency notedenomination determined from the note data read by the second notereader differs from the currency note denomination indicated by thesecond cassette data; and causing a discrepancy message to be sent to aremote computer responsive at least in part to a determination that thecurrency note denomination determined from the note data read by thesecond note reader differs from the currency note denomination indicatedby the second cassette data.
 6. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising producing a stack of currency notes by a stacker; wherein thestacker is adjacent to the note reader.
 7. The method according to claim1, wherein the currency cassette is associated with an automated bankingmachine, the method further comprises shutting down the automatedbanking machine subsequent to causing the discrepancy message to be sentto the remote computer.
 8. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising storing a currency note in a divert bin responsive todetermining that the currency note denomination determined from the notedata read by the note reader differs from the currency note denominationindicated by the cassette data.
 9. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: obtaining a replacement currency note responsive todetermining that the currency note denomination determined from the notedata read by the note reader differs from the currency note denominationindicated by the cassette data; and completing a cash dispensetransaction using the replacement note.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising cancelling a cash dispense transactionresponsive to determining that the currency note denomination determinedfrom the note data read by the note reader differs from the currencynote denomination indicated by the cassette data.
 11. A tangible,non-transitory computer readable medium of instructions withinstructions encoded thereon for execution by a processor that whenexecuted are operable to: cause a note picker to taking a currency notefrom currency cassette; read cassette data indicative of a currency notedenomination held by the currency cassette by a cassette data reader;read note data for currency notes taken from the currency cassette by anote reader during a cash dispense transaction; determine from the notedata currency note denominations for the currency notes taken from thecurrency cassette; determine whether a currency note denominationdetermined from the note data read by the note reader differs from thecurrency note denomination indicated by the cassette data; and cause adiscrepancy message to be sent to a remote computer responsive at leastin part to a determination that the currency note denominationdetermined from the note data read by the note reader differs from thecurrency note denomination indicated by the cassette data.
 12. Thetangible non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, theinstructions are further operable to: read user data by a user datareader to identify a financial account of a machine user; perform afinancial transaction involving the financial account; whereinperforming the financial transaction comprises operating a cashdispenser to dispense currency notes to an authorized user; and whereinperforming the financial transaction further comprises determining by acomputer a relationship between user data read by the data reader andthe financial account.
 13. The tangible non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 12, wherein the user data is read by a card reader, theinstructions are further operable to comparing the data read by the cardreader with card information stored in a data store.
 14. The tangiblenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein reading theuser data comprises reading data through operation of tea biometricreader, and the instructions are further operable to compare the readbiometric data with biometric information in a data store.
 15. Thetangible non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, theinstructions are further operable to: cause a second note picker to takea currency note from a second currency cassette; read second cassettedata indicative of a currency note denomination held by the secondcurrency cassette by a second cassette data reader; read note data forcurrency notes taken from the second currency cassette by a note readerduring a cash dispense transaction; determine from the note datacurrency note denominations for the currency notes taken from the secondcurrency cassette; determine whether a currency note denominationdetermined from the note data read by the second note reader differsfrom the currency note denomination indicated by the second cassettedata; and cause a discrepancy message to be sent to a remote computerresponsive at least in part to a determination that the currency notedenomination determined from the note data read by the second notereader differs from the currency note denomination indicated by thesecond cassette data.
 16. The tangible non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 11, the instructions are further operable to furthercause a stacker to produce a stack of currency notes.
 17. The tangiblenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein thecurrency cassette is associated with an automated banking machine, theinstructions are further operable to shut down the automated bankingmachine subsequent to causing the discrepancy message to be sent to theremote computer.
 18. The tangible non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 11, the instructions are further operable to cause acurrency note to be stored in a divert bin responsive to determiningthat the currency note denomination determined from data read by thenote reader differs from the currency note denomination indicated by thecassette data.
 19. The tangible non-transitory computer readable mediumof claim 11, the instructions further operable to: obtain a replacementcurrency note responsive to determining that the currency notedenomination determined from the note data read by the note readerdiffers from the currency note denomination indicated by the cassettedata; and complete a cash dispense transaction using the replacementnote.
 20. The tangible non-transitory computer readable medium of claim11, the instructions are further operable to cancel a cash dispensetransaction responsive to determining that the currency notedenomination determined from the note data read by the note readerdiffers from the currency note denomination indicated by the cassettedata.